flip-flop
a change or reversal of opinion
TRANSLATION
flip-flop (fig.) = seine Meinung ändern flip-flops (Schuhe) = die Flipflops, die Badelatschen --- GOOGLE INDEX flip-flop: approximately 33,500,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Americans don't care about Romney's latest FLIP-FLOP
(MSNBC)
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Meantime, with (French President) Hollande having already announced a freeze on government spending levels for 2012, his only option left was to enact a humiliating FLIP-FLOP by making massive cuts, or raising taxes on moderate earners along with the rich.
(Time magazine)
(MSNBC)
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Meantime, with (French President) Hollande having already announced a freeze on government spending levels for 2012, his only option left was to enact a humiliating FLIP-FLOP by making massive cuts, or raising taxes on moderate earners along with the rich.
(Time magazine)
Did you
know?
flip-flop
noun and verb
- a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
(Collins English Dictionary)
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Most people know flip-flops as open-heeled sandals with a thong that goes between the big and adjacent toe. Normally worn in summer, flip-flops get their name from the sometimes-irritating sound they make when walking. That's why flip-flop is referred to as onomatopoeia, or something that imitates a sound (from the Greek onoma - name - and poieo - to make or produce).
Flip-flops are as ancient as the Egyptian tombs and are depicted on murals in several tombs. Of course no Biblical Hollywood epic would be complete without flip-flop sandals, whether Ben Hur, The Robe or The Ten Commandments.
The verb flip refers to "turning over quickly" often more than one time. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, flip originally meant "a movement made by bending the last joint of a finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing it"). We flip coins for instance, which is flicking it with the thumb to make it turn end-over-end. People who work in fast food restaurants are said to "flip burgers." An additional sense is found in the expression "to flip out," which means to react in an excited, delighted or surprised way.
Figuratively, flip-flop is used in a totally different sense and means to change or reverse one's opinion. This expression is especially popular in the U.S. where politicians love nothing more than to accuse opposing parties and individuals of flip-flopping on an issue in an effort to damage their credibility with voters. Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush (the elder) once said during a campaign, "Read my lips: No new taxes." Once he became president however, he raised taxes to reduce the national budget deficit. He became one of the most famous flip-floppers in American history as a result.
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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"You can often observe policy flip-flops after elections are over."
noun and verb
- a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
(Collins English Dictionary)
---
Most people know flip-flops as open-heeled sandals with a thong that goes between the big and adjacent toe. Normally worn in summer, flip-flops get their name from the sometimes-irritating sound they make when walking. That's why flip-flop is referred to as onomatopoeia, or something that imitates a sound (from the Greek onoma - name - and poieo - to make or produce).
Flip-flops are as ancient as the Egyptian tombs and are depicted on murals in several tombs. Of course no Biblical Hollywood epic would be complete without flip-flop sandals, whether Ben Hur, The Robe or The Ten Commandments.
The verb flip refers to "turning over quickly" often more than one time. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, flip originally meant "a movement made by bending the last joint of a finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing it"). We flip coins for instance, which is flicking it with the thumb to make it turn end-over-end. People who work in fast food restaurants are said to "flip burgers." An additional sense is found in the expression "to flip out," which means to react in an excited, delighted or surprised way.
Figuratively, flip-flop is used in a totally different sense and means to change or reverse one's opinion. This expression is especially popular in the U.S. where politicians love nothing more than to accuse opposing parties and individuals of flip-flopping on an issue in an effort to damage their credibility with voters. Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush (the elder) once said during a campaign, "Read my lips: No new taxes." Once he became president however, he raised taxes to reduce the national budget deficit. He became one of the most famous flip-floppers in American history as a result.
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"You can often observe policy flip-flops after elections are over."
