Very important person

A very important person (VIP) is a person who is given special privileges due to the status or importance of the person. The term "VIP" (usually pronounced V-I-P) is often used as an abbreviation for very important person. Such a person might be a celebrity, a head of state, a politician, a rich person, or any other person who receives special service for any reason.

"VIP" redirects here. For the peptide hormone, see Vasoactive intestinal peptide. For other uses, see VIP (disambiguation).

The term V.I.P. appeared before World War Two,[1] starting in the Russian emigration. It abbreviated the Russian phrase “ves'ma imenitaya persona”[2] which described someone accorded special privileges due to social status or importance.

Notes
  1. John Ayto. Movers and shakers: a chronology of words that shaped our age. Oxford University Press US, 2006
  2. François Bauchpas. L'émigration blanche. Paris, 1968


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