我们身边有些人从来都不把明星当外人，一说起来就感觉这些明星都是他家邻居，要不就是他的“发小”。在熟人中间，这样的做法一般都不会得到什么好脸色，可要是在一堆陌生人中间，左一个“我发哥”，又一个“我本山大叔”这么name dropping，没准真有人被唬了呢。

Name dropping is the practice of mentioning important people or institutions within a conversation, story, song, online identity, or other communication.

Name dropping指在谈话、故事、歌曲、网络身份或者其它交流中提及重要人物或机构的行为，暂译为“拽人名”。

Name dropping is used to position oneself within a social hierarchy. It is often used to create a sense of superiority by raising one's status. By implying (or directly asserting) a connection to people of high status, the name-dropper hopes to raise his or her own social status to a level closer to that of those whose names he or she has dropped, and thus elevate himself or herself above, or into, present company.

“拽人名”通常是为了在某个社会层级中确立自己的地位，通过提高自己的地位来建立一种优越感。这些人在暗示（或者直接表明）自己与高层人士的关系时希望能够将自己的社会地位提升到与那些高层接近的状态，从而凌驾于身边同伴之上，或者成为与其平等的一员。

Name dropping can also be used to identify people with a common bond. By indicating the names of people one knows, one makes known his or her social circle, providing an opportunity for others with similar connections to relate.

“拽人名”还能用来搜寻与自己有共同交际圈的人。一个人在提到自己认识的一些人时，别人也能从中得知他的社交圈，由此便为其他有相似社交圈的人提供了一个可以相互联系的机会。