sacred monster

American  

noun

1. a celebrity whose eccentricities or indiscretions are easily forgiven by admirers.

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Etymology

Origin of sacred monster

1980–85; translation of French monstre sacré

Example Sentences

It’s like Cocteau about Piaf: the sacred monster.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2016

Headley, who grew up outside Baltimore — there’s a picture of John Waters’ sacred monster Divine posted prominently in his place — shrugs.

From Washington Post • Jul. 12, 2015

Bruce is the sacred monster in a zazzy comedy-horror called Filth, written and directed by Jon S. Baird from a novel by Irvine Welch.

From Time • May 30, 2014

So did the sacred monster give a nod to the young.

From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2011

A swarm of men cleared the way for it, gesticulating like madmen in their zeal to get swimming-room for the sacred monster.

From Marm Lisa by Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith