🦴 The Bone of Contention
bone of contention, the - The central point of a debate or dispute. The phrase conjures up images of two dogs ferociously snarling over a single, coveted bone. Originally appearing as “bone of dissension” (“This became a bone of dissension between these deare friends,” William Lambarde, 1576), the metaphor speaks to the crux of conflict. Our modern usage, phonetically preserved from the early 18th century, offers a vivid linguistic scrap of bygone brawls.
Related and Similar Expressions:
- Hot button issue - A controversial topic that triggers heated debate.
- Sticking point - A particularly difficult or contentious issue in a debate.
- Source of friction - An element that sparks conflict or disagreement.
- Cause celebre - A famous case or issue that provokes widespread public interest and debate.
Synonyms:
- Dispute
- Quarrel
- Argument
- Contention
Antonyms:
- Harmony
- Agreement
- Consensus
- Concord
Books and Literature:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Songs:
- “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift
- “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles
Movies:
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
- 12 Angry Men (1957)
💡 Fun and Witty Examples:
Humorous Quote: “Marriages are made in heaven. But so again, are thunder and lightning.” - Clint Eastwood, Pale Rider
Proverb: “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” - African proverb
📖 Suggested Literature:
- The Tenth Man by Graham Greene - A riveting tale of arbitrary argument and ultimate redemption.
- Animal Farm by George Orwell - A pointed allegory featuring analytical insight into human discord.
📺 Recommended Movies:
- The Big Short (2015) - An exploration of financial strife with real-world stakes.
- Erin Brockovich (2000) - A battle for environmental justice and personal conviction.
Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Understanding the “bone of contention” in any debate invites us to examine not just the conflict but our responses to it. Harmony, after all, is not the absence of difference but the art of keeping it together. Let the bone be a lesson: the strongest bones are those fortified by mutual respect.
Happy navigating the clamor, dear reader. Until next lexical clash!
- N. E. Quibbleworth
