Coined by Thorstein Veblen, conspicuous consumption refers to the practice of purchasing goods and services primarily to display one's social and economic status. Veblen explained that this behavior is driven by modern societal conditions like increased communication and mobility, which expose individuals to the observation of strangers. Lacking other information, these strangers then use the visible display of goods to judge a person's 'reputability.' This concept helps explain why individuals, including those with lesser means, often attempt to imitate the consumption patterns of the wealthy.