A big
grey animal which features in the phrase elephant in the room. Here it can
mean anything you like that reminds you of an elephant in a confined space, such as:
1) A
thing that'
s big, really big, and everybody is embarassed by the sight of it, so they pretend it isn't there: maybe it will go away.
2) Something so big you can think of nothing else but it.
3) A thing too big to fit, but after a while you get used to it, maybe even get to like it; it defines a scary new lifestyle.
All of these describe teenage obsessions, hence the title of Gus van Sant'
s teenage obsession movie Elephant.
"Elephant, what elephant?"
"I'd like two eggs and an elephant, please. Oops,
sorry, I meant two eggs and a
sausage"
"Please be gentle, this is my first
time with an elephant"