ALIBI IKE Meaning and
Definition
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"Alibi Ike" is an idiomatic expression derived from a nickname originally coined by Ring Lardner, an American author and journalist, in reference to a fictional character. In popular usage, "Alibi Ike" refers to someone who frequently and habitually offers excuses or alibis to avoid taking responsibility for their actions or to avoid facing the consequences of their choices.
The term "Alibi Ike" carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the person in question resorts to constant excuses, often implausible or melodramatic, to evade accountability. This behavior can manifest in various scenarios, such as failing to fulfill responsibilities, evading blame, or avoiding making difficult decisions. The expression implies that the individual consistently seeks refuge behind elaborate explanations instead of facing reality or accepting any culpability.
The origin of "Alibi Ike" can be traced back to Lardner's short stories and later a novel, both featuring a fictional baseball player, Frank X. Farrell, nicknamed "Alibi Ike." In these works, the character frequently fabricates excuses for his lack of skill or performance on the baseball field. The nickname and the subsequent concept of "Alibi Ike" have since become part of popular culture, pertaining to individuals who constantly deflect blame or responsibility through a series of explanations or cover stories.
Overall, "Alibi Ike" encapsulates the notion of someone who habitually avoids accountability by providing various alibis or excuses, reflecting a tendency to shirk responsibility and evade the consequences of their actions.
Etymology of ALIBI IKE
The word "Alibi Ike" is a nickname that originated from a character in a short story by Ring Lardner, an American journalist and humorist. The story, titled "Alibi Ike", was published in 1915 and featured a baseball player named Frank X. Farrell, who was notorious for always having an excuse or alibi for any mistakes he made on or off the field. Due to his constant justifications, he earned the nickname "Alibi Ike". Over time, the term "Alibi Ike" came to be associated with any person who consistently avoids taking responsibility by providing an alibi or excuse for their actions.
