A form of psychosocial epiphany during which a
person feigns newfound awareness of real or imagined peer admiration. Term implies a real or imminent loss of decorum followed by stunned recognition that one had previously underestimated one'
s value, status or importance.
Episodes are sometimes accompanied by an emotional meltdown often perceived by witnesses as distasteful and gauche, if not wholly disingenuous.
Derivation: The term's origin is thought to be
Sally Field's acceptance speech of her
1984 Best Actress
Oscar for "Places in the Heart". Though widely feted and highly-esteemed, the actress nevertheless exclaimed: "I've wanted more than anything to have your
respect...I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"
As the "
get-off-the-stage-music" swelled, panning cameras for the live broadcast many pre-botox celebrities candidly exhibiting expressions ranging from pathos to contempt.
The term was quickly accepted within the lexicon as a mildly snarkish
pop-culture reference applied to any
awkward episode that provoked vicarious embarrassment for having witnessed another's regressive collapse of public composure.
In Chat:
omg...im freaked
what
wait <SallyFieldMoment>
____ just called & asked me out
and
u said....
wait </end SallyFieldMoment>
better now...said
maybe
ur pathetic jk bff
In
work conversation:
"Read yur email - that temp is now perm - total
Sally Field Moment now in progress"
"I so hate her"
"Me too - heard she swallows"
"he hired her didn't he?
"Wanna go purge? - 3rd floor, crip stall"
"I'
m so there"
In social conversation:
"damn whooda hottie"
"don't even go there gurl - all we did was 69 and it was
Sally Field Moment in the morning"
"oh no he didn't - pity, sistergurl don't do mercyfucks"
"did I mention he's a bareback top"
"no bitch u did not - finish my drink and rescuecall me by midnight - u know I go coyote"
"a'ight gurlfriend,
work that ho-ass"
