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

See Examples For:

elephant in the room

There’s an elephant in the room in every scene, and its lens follows the subject everywhere.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

Why do so few people talk about the elephant in the room?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

When it comes to sharing his music, especially the more vulnerable tracks, Wolfhard knows his “Stranger Things” fame is the elephant in the room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Carlo Ancelotti's news conference was coming to an end when he addressed the elephant in the room in his typically subtle, elegant way.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

Everywhere I go, I feel like the elephant in the room.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen