> Care to enlighten those of us who did'nt grow up speaking English?

   Non Anglospherian?

First Google hit is

=A0 =A0 =A0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome

which says

=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0=A0Tall poppy syndrome=A0(TPS) is a=A0pejorative=A0term prim=
arily used
in the=A0UK,=A0Canada,=A0Australia,
        New Zealand=A0and other=A0Anglosphere=A0nations to describe a socia=
l
phenomenon in which people
        of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or
criticised because their talents or
        achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peer=
s.

Note that the explanation is (only) somewhat self contradictory in
recognising "genuine merit" but claiming the term to be perjorative..

The page makes for interestin reading both re etymology and antopodean usag=
e.

I note the interesting thesis:

              "Some sociologists, notably Max Weber, believe that in
certain social groups, the acquisition of prestige and power is a
zero-sum game, and this situation may provide a rationalization for
the hatred of "tall poppies""


    Russell







On 29 November 2011 16:30, John Gardner <goflo3@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> "...tall poppy... "
>
> Care to enlighten those of us who did'nt grow up speaking English?
> --
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