🎯 Fair Game: From Hunting Grounds to Figurative Fields 🎬
A Still-Vital Vintage Term
A legitimate object of attack, pursuit, or mockery. The analogy, of course, is to hunting, and the term has been used figuratively since the early nineteenth century. “They were indeed fair game for the laughers,” wrote Thomas Macaulay in his essay on Milton (1825).
Related and Similar Terms
- Target: An aim or goal.
- Prey: The object of a hunt or pursuit.
- Scapegoat: Someone unfairly blamed for the problems of others.
- Sitting Duck: Someone vulnerable, an easy target.
Proverbs and Expressions
- All’s fair in love and war.
All advantages are fair in situations of love and war. - Easy prey.
Someone or something easily captured or exploited.
Synonyms
- Quarry: The object of a hunt.
- Objective: The goal intended to be attained.
- Mark: Someone singled out for special treatment.
Antonyms
- Predator: One that preys, destroys, or devours.
- Protector: One that guards or shields.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Life’s more amusing than we thought it was a moment ago. We children are all fair game even to ourselves, and then we’re very funny.” — Alistair MacLean
Books and Literature
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: Explores what people will deem as ‘fair game.’
- Dracula by Bram Stoker: Discusses characters as both predators and prey.
- Animal Farm by George Orwell: A brilliant allegory embodying fair game in ideological battles.
Songs
- “Hunting High and Low” by A-ha: Even imagination knows fair game is ubiquitous.
- “We Will Hunt Them Down” by Rammstein: Dramatizes the thrill of the hunt.
- “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” by Pink Floyd: Suggestive of a timeless chase.
Movies
- The Most Dangerous Game (1932): Explores extreme hunting concepts.
- The Lion King: A theatrical masterpiece where the circle of life signifies both predator and prey.
- Jumanji: Brings the hunt’s allegory to compelling life and adventures.
Quizzes 📚
### Which of these terms is synonymous with “fair game”?
- [ ] Obstacle
- [x] Target
- [ ] Judge
- [ ] Ally
> **Explanation:** A “target” is often synonymous with “fair game” as the object of pursuit.
### True or False: "Sitting duck" means an easily targeted person or thing.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** “Sitting duck” indeed refers to someone or something that is easily targeted.
### Find the related term:
- [ ] Guardian
- [x] Prey
- [ ] Ambassador
- [ ] Mediator
> **Explanation:** "Prey" is closely related to “fair game” as it suggests something being hunted.
### Does "fair game" have a positive connotation?
- [ ] Yes
- [x] No
> **Explanation:** “Fair game” usually does not have a positive connotation; rather, it suggests vulnerability or being a target for criticism or attack.
Published by Euphemism Endeavors on October, 15th 2023.
Farewell: ✨ “Language, like hunting, is a never-ending field to explore—full of captivating use cases and perceptive analyses. Happy word hunting!” —Percy Proverbial
