Aunt Sally

American  

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a person who is a ready target for criticism or focus for disputation.

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Aunt Sally British  

/ ˈsælɪ /

noun

1. a figure of an old woman's head, typically with a clay pipe, used in fairgrounds and fêtes as a target for balls or other objects

2. any person who is a target for insults or criticism

3. something set up as a target for disagreement or attack

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Etymology

Origin of Aunt Sally

First recorded in 1860–65; so called from the figure used as a target at fairs

Example Sentences

Let’s say you want to give Aunt Sally a gift card to a clothing store.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally West Coast premiere of Kevin Armento’s coming-of-age drama narrated by a troubled teen’s cellphone.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2017

Nick Millea, organiser of the Charlbury Beer Festival, which hosts the grandiosely-titled Aunt Sally World Championships, describes it as a "really sociable game".

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2017

“He might hit the piñata but he might hit Aunt Sally, who happens to be standing nearby.”

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2014

They 'd had poor luck with four boys, an', by George, after the youngest of them five was fifteen if Aunt Sally did n't have triplets—gals all on em!

From A Cry in the Wilderness by Waller, Mary E. (Mary Ella)