What is the difference between impersonation and impression

Voice mimicry involves using the human voice to simulate other sounds. In addition to copying people, mimics and imitators can produce sounds from the natural and human worlds. Some common synonyms of mimic are ape, copy, imitate, and mock. In a new study, scientists report a captive orca killer whale can mimic the sounds of human voices. An impression of a cop would be sauntering around with a puffed out chest, putting people under arrest and confiscating their donuts.

I think that the difference lies in the intent of the actor: an impression is a behavioral caricature, intended for entertainment and not to be believed, while an impersonation is intended to be accepted at face value.

As similar distinction lies between a tall tale with a lie. Does anyone know of a reference book that would contrast between pairs of related words such as these? I'd only add that while an impression is generally done by an actor, comedian or someone trying to entertain, an impersonation includes quite illegal situations, to wit, the cop scenario.

It's obviously illegal to impersonate an official. It's only humiliating if someone impersonates a moron, like Borat does. But it could do real damage if someone was to impersonate a cop with you. I wonder how they handle this in the Punk'd tv show. I assume they do the impersonations, both of official and non-official people, and then get the punkee to sign a release in order to televise. John4 Nov Looking at the OED, impression has always had the sense since the late s at least of an imprint such as an impression made in wax , and thus of a copy.

That is precisely the Latin etymology. However, the word has also been used to describe the effect of something on the mind, which has come down to us in examples like "It gave me the impression that This, of course, comes from the idea that the thing or person is making a stamped image on the mind, which is a common trope in conceptions of consciousness e.

Incidentally, the first usage of impression as a performance is listed as Interestingly, it is in scare quotes, but whether the OED has missed earlier usage I don't know. Impersonation appears in , and derives from an older sense which literally means to personify or render into a personality: thus, a soul is said to be "impersonated" when it is incarnated into a body , or vices and passions are said to be "impersonated" when they are represented as human figures in literature s.

From the latter sense, it is an easy step to one person dramatically representing another, although when the faint air of deceit or counterfeit, as emphasised by Nah, Lance and John, began to cling to the word is unclear. I have a question. What term is proper when the impersonation does not involve a person? I have a bird that repeats sounds of other animals and inanimate objects around the house squeaky door, telephone ringer, etc.

Would the word "imitation" be better to use than "impersonation"? Todd1 May I think I can actually answer this. I am a vocal "Impressionist" vs. Impression means to take on only a single aspect of the original while Impersonation means to replicate the original in its entirety. In entertainment, Rich Little would be an "Impressionist". A lot of people use the two words interchangeably, but there appears to be a generally accepted difference.

For example, a prisoner might make a physical impression of a key in a bar of soap. Q: Is this before or after they drop the soap? A: No comment. So an impression by a comedian or an entertainer looks to take an aspect or aspects of something and copy it. For example, someone doing a Donald Duck impression. Q: So an impressionist simply imitates a voice or actions? A: Yes. Q: My Uncle Shane is an Elvis impersonator. Q: No way, he never leaves the house. A: Right okay. Q: Do you have an example?

A: Sure do. Completely misunderstood the invite. Q: So, what about impersonating a police officer over the phone? I could be in my pyjamas. Is it still called that? Q: Thanks for the lesson. Can I do one final impression?

Q: No silly. It was a completely healthy mime artist! Our practical and industry-proven courses will help you gain confidence and meet your goals faster!