Indeed, men describe the role of the wingman in terms of loyalty, personal responsibility and dependability, traits commonly associated with masculinity…"[4]Popular media and informal discourse describe a situation in which a pair of friends are socialising together, approaching other pairs and groups while avoiding the awkwardness or perceived aggression of acting alone.
[7] Certain sources describe the wingman role as a part of pickup artistry, with women referred to as "targets" and men as "pilots".
[8] Others highlight the ability of a wingman (of any gender) to step in and rescue their female friend from unwanted persistent sexual advances.
[11] The term wingman was popularised by its use in the 1986 romantic military action drama film Top Gun,[citation needed] in which US Navy pilots are shown in a bar pursuing women in pairs, similar to their in-flight tactics.
Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) is the best friend and wingman to Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise).