(Australia, New Zealand) The tendency to disparage conspicuously successful people.
(Australia, New Zealand) The tendency to disparage conspicuously successful people.
One of Australia′s healthiest national traits is the Tall Poppy Syndrome, which involves taking a sceptical view of people who are rich, powerful or successful, and cutting them down to size when they appear pretentious.
"tall poppy syndrome" means: The tendency to disparage conspicuously successful people.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
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(Australia, New Zealand) A conspicuously successful person, especially one who attracts envious hostility.
The absolute pinnacle expression of Australian-ness — a moment, person, or behavior so quintessentially Australian that it could serve as a national exhibit. Used admiringly or sarcastically when something hits peak cultural stereotype.
The act or habit of being superior to someone or something.
(slang, of a person) overpraising somebody or something.
"tall poppy syndrome" means: The tendency to disparage conspicuously successful people.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"tall poppy syndrome" means: The tendency to disparage conspicuously successful people.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (New Zealand) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
“Tall poppy syndrome feels like a British disease at the moment.”
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(UK, pejorative) Openly critical and condescending people viewed collectively.