Trivia Time

Which author is widely credited for giving us the idea of the elephant in the room?

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elephant in the room

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt in thuh room, room] / ˈɛl ə fənt ɪn ðə ˈrum, ˈrʊm /

idiom

1. a problem or issue that everyone is aware of but that no one wants to talk about.

   Her dad’s depression has been the elephant in the room at family gatherings.

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Etymology

Origin of elephant in the room

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Her pitch was really simple: “Hey, I make my kids clean up the room when they make a mess. Why aren’t we making these guys clean up their mess?”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2024

We apologize for any distress and have taken measures to clean up the room and exterminate the rodents.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

The Bridesmaids proceed to clean up the room with the remaining bichloride.

From A Book of Burlesques by Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)

At last he looked about him somewhat dazed with so much weeping, then set his vixen down on the ottoman, and began to clean up the room with a heavy heart.

From Lady into Fox by Garnett, David

Well, then, if you’ve so much time and strength to spare, go yonder and clean up the room that Adrian left so untidy.

From A Daughter of the Forest by Raymond, Evelyn