Wingman (social)

Original military use

The term originated in combat aviation in various English-speaking military aviation communities, attested from 1946, shortly before the advent of fighter jets. Pilots flying in formation, especially when in combat training or in actual aerial combat, refer to the pilot immediately next to them (traditionally on their right, sometimes on either side) as their "wingman" (the man on their wing). In aerial combat pilots are often trained to attack and defend in pairs watching out for each other.

In sociology

In 2007, sociologist David Grazian interviewed male students at the University of Pennsylvania on their dating habits, and postulated that the wingman role was part of collective "girl hunt" rituals that allow young men to collectively exhibit masculinity. Grazian writes:

Popular usage

Popular media and informal discourse describe a situation in which a pair of friends are socialising together, approaching other pairs and groups while avoiding the awkwardness or perceived aggression of acting alone. The wingman strikes up conversation and proposes group social activities, providing their friend with a pleasant and unthreatening social pretext to chat or flirt with a particular attractive person. The wingman can also keep their friend safe by preventing them from behaving in a reckless or socially embarrassing way.

The wingman can occupy the attention of any less attractive people in the other group, allowing their friend to express an interest in the most attractive group member.

Despite the name, wingmen are not exclusively male; women can also act as wingmen. Wingmen also do not necessarily share their friend's sexual orientation; gay people can be wingmen for straight friends, and vice versa.

Certain sources describe the wingman role as a part of pickup artistry, with women referred to as "targets" and men as "pilots". Others highlight the ability of a wingman (of any gender) to step in and rescue their female friend from unwanted persistent sexual advances.

American entrepreneur Thomas Edwards founded a dating service called The Professional Wingman, in which he performs the wingman role for socially reticent clients, coaching them on the social skills needed to approach potential romantic partners in bar settings. Edwards emphasises that he is not a pick-up artist.

In fiction and popular culture

The term wingman was popularised by its use in the 1986 romantic military action drama film Top Gun, in which US Navy pilots are shown in a bar pursuing women in pairs, similar to their in-flight tactics. Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) is the best friend and wingman to Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise). At the end of the film, Maverick's former archrival, Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer), shows his respect to Maverick when he says, "You can be my wingman anytime." Other characters have been called wingmen in literature, film and popular culture.

References

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References

1. DiDonato, Theresa E.. (February 21, 2014). "The Evolution of the Wingman". [[Psychology Today]].
2. (2009). "Cooperative courtship: Helping friends raise and raze relationship barriers". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
3. {{Cite OED. wingman
4. (2007). "The Girl Hunt: Urban Nightlife and the Performance of Masculinity as Collective Activity". Symbolic Interaction.
5. "The Traits Of A Good Wingman".
6. (7 June 2013). "Why The Wingwoman Is The New Wingman". Elite Daily.
7. (9 June 2016). "Why a gay guy is the perfect wingman". GQ.
8. Fabrice Julien. (21 May 2017). "The wingman in seduction".
9. (23 June 2015). "6 Reasons Your BFF Is The Best Wing Woman You'll Ever Have". Elite Daily.
10. "The Professional Wingman®".
11. (20 January 2016). "I Went To Bars With A Professional Wingman & Here's What Happened". Bustle.
12. "You Can Be My Wingman Anytime – Top Gun (8/8) Movie CLIP (1986) HD".
13. (3 December 2013). "The Greatest Wingmen (and Wingwomen) in Classic Literature". The Huffington Post.
14. (24 December 2014). "The Best Wingmen (And Wingwomen) in Film History". Complex.
15. (19 July 2011). "The 20 Best Wingmen in Pop Culture". Paste Magazine.