albatross
A metaphor for a dead weight or burden that one must carry, especially when the burden is not a literal one but a stigma of some kind that one cannot easily discard or throw off. The name comes from a story about a sailor who killed an albatross that was following his ship, an act thought to bring bad luck upon the ship. His fellow sailors made him wear the dead albatross around his neck as penance to ward off the bad luck.
Joe: I have wonderful news! I finally got laid last night!
Jim: Congrats, man! Doesn't it feel good to not have that albatross around your neck any more?
Jim: Congrats, man! Doesn't it feel good to not have that albatross around your neck any more?
albatross by ieatboogers August 22, 2010
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