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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Tall Poppy Syndrome

"THE TALL POPPY SYNDROME:
ON THE RE-EMERGENCE IN CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIA
OF AN ANCIENT GREEK AND LATIN MOTIVE


According to the Australian National Dictionary (AND; Ramson 1988: 494), echoed by the
Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary of current English (Moore 1997: 1393), a tall poppy is ‘a
person who is conspicuously successful; freq. one whose distinction, rank, or wealth attracts
envious notice or hostility’. The Dinkum Dictionary (Johansen 1988: 414) provides a similar,
two-part definition: it talks about a ‘very important person; influential person; person with status
– often held in contempt by others, who try to bring about this person’s downfall or ruin’. In
spite of recent attempts to revalue the term tall poppy (Peeters forthcoming), most Australians
remain convinced that tall poppies must be cut down or cut down to size. This is usually done by
uttering criticism or by adversely commenting on a reverse in status. It is said that Australians
derive a great deal of pleasure or satisfaction from engaging in this activity."

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