Origin of Phrases - B
Brown nosing
Meaning: To be excessively attentive and overly nice in an attempt to ingratiate oneself with a superior.
Example: He got the promotion by driving his boss to the airport, running errands, and general brown nosing.
Origin: The term "Brown nosing" is a more highly evolved and (even more) humorous way of saying "kissing ass" or "butt kissing". Suitable for use in polite company. Someone literally kissing ass could potentially get feces on their nose making it appear brown.
Interestingly this evokes an even more offensive image than the phrase "butt kissing", yet is considered the less offensive term.