The year was 2006 when I first stumbled across the famous expression "lead balloon".
American in origin, its first usage was in the Mom-N-Pop cartoon that was syndicated in US newspapers in June 1924.
Its definition is that of something considered not popular by people. That could be in the form of something spoken or an action.
Ironically the use of the coinage early on also went down like a lead balloon and did not return into mainstream dialogue until after World War II.
Gaining some traction over time, it has become a useful idiomatic expression in a 24/7 news cycle where a poor choice of words or an ill-advised action from those in the public eye is quickly judged.
Not a week or a day goes by without someone veering from the script, thereby providing the light-relief material for a weekly news wrap-up appropriately christened the lead balloon awards.
And this week's winners are:
GOLD
1.The biggest legacy (of Commonwealth Games) is Olympics. Cricket is the most popular sport in our country but it is played by just 10 countries. Olympics has all sports. We have to ensure that Olympics comes up. This is our opportunity and CWG will help - Chief Organiser of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Suresh Kalmadi suggesting that the games have been such a success, his next focus will be securing the Olympics in 2020. This is despite crowds being non-existent at some events and some serious infrastructure issues including a giant scoreboard at the venue for Rugby Sevens, crashing to the ground.SILVER
2. I'm a parent, I have daughters. I mean, how would I really sound, as a person, walking around my house [saying] 'Bitch, pick this up.' You know what I mean? I don't cuss," - US rapper, Eminem, declaring bad words have no place in his home with children around. Yet he will continue producing music with profanity in it that will end up in other homes that may have children in it.
BRONZE
3. I'll get rid of that woman, you watch. Eighty-year-old woman trying to run the town. Go to the retirement village, you old clown - Radio shock jock, Kyle Sandilands, having an on-the-record temper tantrum in the media in response to a proposal by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore to close pubs and clubs at midnight and send people home at a reasonable hour. Sandilands, having bought into a few Kings Cross nightclubs, would be affected if the proposal were successful. We are reliably informed by King Kyle that Clover Moore has no clue what the majority of us really want. Which majority is that, Kyle? I'd like to meet them sometime. Sandilands has obviously never been introduced to the wisdom of Otto Von Bismarck who once advised all diplomatic combatants to, 'Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rule of politeness.'
Image credit: Salvatore Suono/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
sandilands and eminem are dead right- nothing wrong with what they said at all
ReplyDeleteIt's not a matter of being wrong or right.
ReplyDeleteMore or less it is about what they said and/or in fact how they expressed themselves.
Eminem is caught in a moral demarcation line. He's attempting to have his cake and eat it too. Mind you, he didn't bring the subject up of family values at home (that was the media's role) but his response none the less must surely make parents out there ask themselves if his potty mouth isn't acceptable in his home, why is it fine to bring it into others on a mass scale? He has to make a choice. Is his art acceptable or is it not? Until he makes up his mind, he won't win very much support on either side of the social spectrum.
Kyle Sandilands should think before he speaks if he's serious about debating in the political arena. His language and the tone of his rhetoric will work against him amongst the people he needs on his side.
ReplyDeleteKyle, stop watching the South Park and grow up.
ReplyDeleteKyle Sandilands V Clover Moore...this will make all you Kyle critics appreciate Kyle's tough talking, no nonsense approach to political commentary!
ReplyDeleteSeinfeld (oops! Steinfeld) here again. What is this I hear about Sandilands buying into the Kings Cross nightclub scene? Is John Ibrahim and his Boys happy with this competition???
ReplyDelete