How Do You Spell POLITICAL FOOTBALL?

Pronunciation: [pəlˈɪtɪkə͡l fˈʊtbɔːl] (IPA)

The idiom "political football" is often used to describe a controversial issue that is widely debated by politicians. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable is pronounced /pəˈlɪtɪkəl/, with stress on the second syllable. The second syllable is pronounced /ˈfʊtbɔːl/, with stress on the first syllable. Together, the word is spelled as "puh-LIT-ih-kuhl FOOT-bawl" and refers to an issue that is manipulated by politicians for their own gain.

POLITICAL FOOTBALL Meaning and Definition

1. Political football is a metaphorical term that refers to a particular issue or topic that is repeatedly and cynically exploited by politicians for their own gain or advantage. This term derives from the sport of football, where the ball is kicked between opposing teams, representing the ongoing power struggles and disputes. In the political context, a political football is a matter that is continuously passed back and forth, often irresponsibly or without genuinely addressing it, solely to score political points.

   When an issue becomes a political football, it is treated as a tool for politicians to manipulate public opinion, divert attention, or gain support during their campaigns or debates. Such issues are frequently emotionally charged and highly controversial, making them susceptible to political exploitation. The term is typically used to highlight instances where politicians prioritize gaining political benefits over solving complex problems or making substantial progress.

   Moreover, a political football can involve policies or initiatives that receive constant attention during election seasons but are subsequently neglected or ignored after politicians secure positions of power. This highlights the superficiality and insincerity sometimes associated with political discourse.

   Overall, political football represents the instrumentalization of issues by politicians, in turn compromising effective decision-making, genuine problem-solving, and the ultimate well-being of the public.

Common Misspellings for POLITICAL FOOTBALL

• oolitical football
• lolitical football
• -olitical football
• 0olitical football
• pilitical football
• pklitical football
• pllitical football
• pplitical football
• p0litical football
• p9litical football
• pokitical football
• popitical football
• pooitical football
• polutical football
• poljtical football
• polktical football
• polotical football
• pol9tical football
• pol8tical football
• polirical football

Etymology of POLITICAL FOOTBALL

The term "political football" is derived from the combination of the words "political" and "football". It is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation or issue that is repeatedly and often opportunistically debated or discussed by politicians for their own gain or to further their political agenda. This usage is metaphorical, drawing a parallel between the game of football and the partisan maneuvering and posturing that can occur in the realm of politics. The term is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, though the exact etymology and earliest recorded usage remain unclear.

Idioms with the word POLITICAL FOOTBALL

• a political football The idiom "a political football" refers to a contentious issue or topic that is frequently and repeatedly used for political gain or manipulation by different parties or individuals. It implies that the issue is not handled objectively or substantively, but rather passed around, exploited, and discussed purely in terms of political advantage rather than genuine concern or resolution of the problem.
• political football A situation or issue that is continuously debated, manipulated, and used as a tool by politicians for their own gain, rather than being addressed and resolved in a straightforward manner.

Plural form of POLITICAL FOOTBALL is POLITICAL FOOTBALLS