Jewel in the crown
Jewel in the crown by Kung-fu Jesus June 24, 2004
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Jewel in the crown
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".
Jewel in the crown by rustedpunchbuggy January 16, 2021
Related Words
chud run
A trip to a grocery store, convenience store, or gas station for the sole purpose of buying an excessive amount of junk food and sugary drinks, usually with friends. A chud run often happens late at night and ends with everyone involved hating themselves afterwards.
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flophouse
Any house/apartment/frat house/trailer/etc. which is used for individuals to crash (sleep, chill, hang out, lurk, etc.) for a period of time. In order to "crash", one must not actually live there (e.g. have their name on the lease, own said flophouse, etc.). Flophouses are typically used by college students, drug addicts, transients, vagrants, or other unsavory characters.
A flophouse may also be the home owned by the parents of a college student, who after being away at college, wishes to live as if he/she is still at college (e.g. staying out all night, returning just to crash at mom and dad's house, then leaving again), rather than conforming to the pre-college rules.
A flophouse may also be the home owned by the parents of a college student, who after being away at college, wishes to live as if he/she is still at college (e.g. staying out all night, returning just to crash at mom and dad's house, then leaving again), rather than conforming to the pre-college rules.
Example #1
Dude: (Talking to someone passed out face first on the floor of his college apartment) Hey man, who the hell are you? What do you think this is, a flophouse??
Bro: Sorry dude, I must have passed out for a minute.
Example #2
Mom: Where have you BEEN for the last three days? You come home just to sleep?? What do you think this is, a flophouse??!!
Son: What's your problem? I'm an adult now!
Dude: (Talking to someone passed out face first on the floor of his college apartment) Hey man, who the hell are you? What do you think this is, a flophouse??
Bro: Sorry dude, I must have passed out for a minute.
Example #2
Mom: Where have you BEEN for the last three days? You come home just to sleep?? What do you think this is, a flophouse??!!
Son: What's your problem? I'm an adult now!
Hate Sink
A person you hate intensely not because they deserve such hatred but because they serve as a focus for your general hatred. A healthy way to dispense with excess animosity.
Hate Sink by The great prophet Zarquon August 7, 2016
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