The act of punishing an animal, child or employee for actions brought about by poor training, poor parenting or poor supervision when there is no retribution for the trainer, parent or supervisor who caused the issue in the first place. The phrase is derived from the hanging of Mary the elephant in Erwin, TN in 1916.
Writing Johnny up for an attitude problem they've ignored for 10 years is like hanging the elephant.
by dagmar7 March 8, 2010