Twofaced

Two-faced is an adjective describing a person who presents contradictory or insincere attitudes toward different people or situations, implying duplicity or hypocrisy. The expression evokes the image of a single individual whose behavior or loyalties seem to vary, presenting two faces to the world. It is widely used in everyday language to describe deceitful or inconsistent conduct.

Etymology and usage: Two-faced derives from the combination of two and faced, using a literal image to convey the idea of split or dual personas. The phrase has a long history in English and is employed across cultures to critique dishonesty, hypocrisy, or shifting loyalties.

In popular culture: The name Two-Face is most prominently associated with a Batman villain whose alter ego is Harvey Dent. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the character first appeared in comics in the early 1940s. Dent is a former district attorney who becomes a criminal after a disfiguring accident, adopting a dual persona—Harvey Dent and Two-Face—and often making decisions based on the flip of a coin. The character's duality explores themes of justice, morality, and the fragility of identity, and has appeared in comic books, animated series, and live-action adaptations, notably in The Dark Knight (2008), where he is portrayed by Aaron Eckhart.

Other uses: The term is also used as a nickname, alias, or title in various media, including music, games, and online communities. Outside of the specific character, two-faced generally remains a descriptive term for duplicity and inconsistency rather than pointing to a single definitive entity. Related concepts include duplicity, hypocrisy, and double-dealing.