The most prized possession or achievement.
Also a reference to colonial India. India was the British Empire's most important colony: the most populous, the most valuable, the most strategic.
Using "jewel in the crown" to refer to colonial India can also be a play on words about a real crown jewel -- the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, a large precious stone. The Diamond was taken after the defeat of the Indian Punjab by the British East India Company and subsequently mounted in the crown of queens of the British Empire. The current Queen Elizabeth II, aware that wearing the jewel offends many Indians, displays the Diamond in the Tower of London.
Because of the weight of the colonial heritage of the phrase, care must be taken when using the phrase to avoid being racist or insulting. If you lack understanding then it is best to avoid the phrase.
The phrase is often used in a jingoistic fashion in English tabloid newspapers, a recollection of the glory days of the British Empire.
The "Jewel in the Crown" is the title of the first of four books written by Paul Scott in 1966. The books are set during the closing decades of the British Raj. In 1984 these books were made into a television mini-series which was acclaimed for its high quality. Both works have a complex and unsentimental view of colonial India, making the title intentionally ironic.
With both jingoistic and ironic uses of "jewel in the crown" being common, readers should consider in what sense the phrase is meant.
Also a reference to colonial India. India was the British Empire's most important colony: the most populous, the most valuable, the most strategic.
Using "jewel in the crown" to refer to colonial India can also be a play on words about a real crown jewel -- the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, a large precious stone. The Diamond was taken after the defeat of the Indian Punjab by the British East India Company and subsequently mounted in the crown of queens of the British Empire. The current Queen Elizabeth II, aware that wearing the jewel offends many Indians, displays the Diamond in the Tower of London.
Because of the weight of the colonial heritage of the phrase, care must be taken when using the phrase to avoid being racist or insulting. If you lack understanding then it is best to avoid the phrase.
The phrase is often used in a jingoistic fashion in English tabloid newspapers, a recollection of the glory days of the British Empire.
The "Jewel in the Crown" is the title of the first of four books written by Paul Scott in 1966. The books are set during the closing decades of the British Raj. In 1984 these books were made into a television mini-series which was acclaimed for its high quality. Both works have a complex and unsentimental view of colonial India, making the title intentionally ironic.
With both jingoistic and ironic uses of "jewel in the crown" being common, readers should consider in what sense the phrase is meant.
Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of Britain, is said to have called India "the brightest jewel in the crown of the British Empire".
by rustedpunchbuggy January 16, 2021
Get the Jewel in the crownmug. The Red crown is something that people might say when talking about someone, someone who is in control, a manipulator, or a ruler. For example:
by Viilambburr December 20, 2022
Get the Red crownmug. “Polishing my crown” is a metaphor for being in one’s power and peace, with nothing able to shake integrity. Even if fighting flu.
Even though men fling themselves at me I am unflappably polishing my crown and continuing uninterrupted on my path to self actualization
by Robster51123 November 25, 2024
Get the Polishing my crownmug. "1: Why don't you ever consider other opinions? Including your own?
2: I wear my foreskin crown proudly.
1: Ok."
2: I wear my foreskin crown proudly.
1: Ok."
by slacketstew December 9, 2019
Get the Foreskin crownmug. by Dogs.Breakfast June 9, 2016
Get the crown of brownmug. When your team and your city wins the championship in three sports in the same year.
i.g. Seattle Mariners win the World Series Seattle Seahawks win the Superbowl Seattle Kraken win the Stanley cup
i.g. Seattle Mariners win the World Series Seattle Seahawks win the Superbowl Seattle Kraken win the Stanley cup
by Danieltheresearcher October 31, 2022
Get the Triple Crownmug. person 1 I got the platinum qwerty crown
person 2 you are officially a loser now
person 1 now I need the rainbow qwerty crown
person 2 does that mean step 1 of 2 to become the loser god
person 1 yes
person 2 you are officially a loser now
person 1 now I need the rainbow qwerty crown
person 2 does that mean step 1 of 2 to become the loser god
person 1 yes
by vanillaijeidhei March 16, 2022
Get the platinum qwerty crownmug.