mannerisms

Mannerisms are idiosyncratic, repetitive movements, gestures, or speech patterns that are characteristic of an individual. They may be voluntary or semi-conscious and are typically nonfunctional, existing primarily as a form of personal expression rather than as purposeful actions. Mannerisms can include facial tics, posture, grooming gestures, or distinctive ways of moving, as well as recurrent speech features such as certain filler phrases, intonation, or cadence.

Types and manifestations include physical and verbal forms. Physical mannerisms encompass fidgeting, hair twirling, leg crossing, nodding, or eyebrow raises, while verbal mannerisms involve distinctive phrases, hesitations, or a particular pacing in speech. They can be influenced by culture, context, and social norms; some are considered polite or customary in one setting and unusual in another.

Functions and perceptions of mannerisms vary. They can convey mood, personality, or social intent and may help signal openness, confidence, or discomfort. In everyday life, they can aid in rapport or serve as signals in interaction. In performance, actors deliberately adopt mannerisms to portray a character or convey a specific effect. In clinical contexts, persistent or intrusive mannerisms may appear as motor stereotypies or tics and can accompany certain neurological or developmental conditions, though many mannerisms are harmless personal habits.

Etymology and scope: the term derives from manner, meaning style or method of expression. In art history, Mannerism refers to a distinct Renaissance style noted for artificial elegance, a sense of stylization that shares roots with the broader idea of mannered expression but is not the same as individual everyday mannerisms.