As Vain as a Peacock

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Meaning:

As vain as a peacock or As Proud as a Peacock means excessively proud of one's appearance, possessions, or accomplishments, to the point of arrogance or boastfulness.

Origin:

The peacock has been used as a symbol of vanity and showiness since ancient times around the world, and in England certainly from the Middle Ages. We first see it in writing in 1387 by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales in the third story told called The Reeve’s Tale it reads,

“As any peacock he was proud”

From then forward the expression has been used in English to express someone who shows vanity about their appearance and possessions.

Example:

Today we still see the phrase as vain as a peacock or as proud as a peacock being used to express someone that is self-absorbed and vain. An example sentence is:

“She is as vain as a peacock, staring in the mirror all day.”

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