[Ads-l] Vanity project (1961)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Thanks for sharing your impressive research on "vanity project", Bonnie.
Garson

On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 3:45 PM Bonnie Taylor-Blake
<00001a89b77a7850-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> I'm surprised that "vanity project" isn't to be found in the OED or other
> online dictionaries. (In fact, it doesn't look like OED has anything for
> the adjectival form of "vanity.") Or have I missed this? Seems to me that
> "vanity project" deserves an entry somewhere, especially given its obvious,
> timely relevance for the District of Columbia.
>
> I'm not proud, so I'm relying on Zip Recruiter (!) to provide what I think
> is a good definition, at least of current use.
>
> "Vanity projects are endeavors, typically in the arts, entertainment, or
> business, that are undertaken primarily to fulfill the personal interests,
> ambitions, or ego of the individual or organization funding the project,
> rather than to achieve commercial success or meet a genuine market need."
> (From
> https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/Vanity-Projects-What-are-Vanity-Projects)
>
> I've listed a few early appearances of "vanity project" below, though some
> may be worthy of bracketed use. Surely the term's formation was influenced
> by the earlier "vanity book," "vanity press," and "vanity publisher."
>
> -- Bonnie
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Both of these works were "vanity" projects subsidized by the citizens whose
> biographies were printed therein, and little attention was given to
> historical accuracy.
>
> ["Classic Area History Is Reproduced," Santa Barbara News-Press, 19 March
> 1961, p. B-12;
> https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-vanity-project/201816491/
> .]
>
> -------------
>
> Let's forget our costly vanity project for a new Court House, but try
> getting new factories in town so that we can have more employment, which
> stimulates business for everybody.
>
> ["Less To Repair Roof Build A New Building," a letter to the editor, Daily
> Herald-Telephone (Bloomington), 28 November 1961, p. 8;
> https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-times-vanity-project-11281/201816718/

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