What is a humble brag?

"I am well aware that I am the 'umblest person going," said Uriah Heep, modestly.    

Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

The modern humblebrag has several niche forms. One is the casual reference to showbiz pals/contacts. Here's Caitlin Moran using a shaggy dog story to remind us that she has hung with A listers: 

"I’ve been seen with Lady Gaga and Benedict Cumberbatch. My puppy turns more heads" 

Even better is to imply you are on fist-bumping terms with the big shots. Jake Owens neatly grabs some reflected glory from fellow country singer Blake Shelton. 

“Watching @blakeshelton perform on late night TV right now… He’s a damn fine singer and a great guy. Congrats on the success buddy.”

Another clever humblebrag is to over promote yourself in the celebrity pantheon. Adam Levine casually inflates his star appeal 

This can backfire, of course. What happened when those adoring fans realised you were not Mr Bieber, Adam?