authenticitybut
Authenticitybut is a sociolinguistic term used to describe a discourse pattern in which a speaker foregrounds authenticity but immediately qualifies or undermines it with a caveat. The term blends authenticity with the coordinating conjunction but, signaling a tension between claimed sincerity and its conditionality. It is used in analyses of online communication, influencer rhetoric, and conversational discourse.
Origin and usage: The term arose in studies of digital culture and has been applied to social
Structure and examples: A typical authenticitybut statement presents one or more clauses asserting honesty, followed by
Function and impact: The pattern can build credibility by appearing transparent, while the but functions as
Related topics include authenticity, performativity, hedging, and self-presentation.