Persona Non Grata: When You’re Out of Favor 🍂
Definition
Persona Non Grata: In diplomatic parlance, a person no longer welcome or acceptable, usually used to refer to diplomats being recalled. In broader usage, it signifies anyone considered undesired or unwelcome.
Related Expressions
- Black Sheep: A person who is regarded as a disgrace or failure by their family or group.
- Outcast: Someone rejected from society or a particular group.
- Pariah: An outcast; someone shunned by society.
- Unwelcome Guest: Someone who is not well-received when they arrive.
Synonyms
- Exile
- Reject
- Untouchable
- Outcast
- Unwanted
- Castaway
Antonyms
- Persona Grata
- Esteemed Guest
- Welcome Addition
- Valued Member
Wit & Humor Quotes
“Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.” — Winston Churchill (well, allegedly)
“It’s not that I’m out of favor; it’s just that the club changed its membership criteria without informing me.”
Proverbs & Sayings
- “An empty purse and a distant relative can make anyone persona non grata.”
- “Better an honest rogue than a false agent.”
Literary References
- “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” by John le Carré: Espionage and diplomatic peril intertwined tightly with being persona non grata.
- “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen: The titular character, initially an outcast, eventually finds his place.
Films & TV Shows
- Casino Royale: Features a scene where Bond becomes persona non grata in certain circles.
- The Godfather II: Highlights removal from social favor in possibly the most extreme manner.
Music & Poetry
- “Love Bites” by Def Leppard: A song for rock outcasts everywhere.
- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day: The anthem for every pariah and exile.
### True or False: 'Persona Non Grata' is originally a French term.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** While it might sound like it, 'persona non grata' is originally a Latin term, commonly used in diplomatic language.
### Which of these is a diplomatic term for an unwelcome diplomat?
- [x] Persona Non Grata
- [ ] Novus Ordo Seclorum
- [ ] Ad Hominem
- [ ] Carpe Diem
> **Explanation:** 'Persona Non Grata' is the term used when a diplomat is no longer welcome in the country of their posting.
### Which phrase expresses a similar meaning but in more colloquial terms?
- [ ] Bread and Butter
- [ ] Walking on Air
- [x] Black Sheep
- [ ] Happy Camper
> **Explanation:** 'Black Sheep' refers to someone who is disliked or out of favor, mirroring the essence of 'Persona Non Grata.'
### Fill in the blank: __ ____ like a fish out of water.
- [x] He felt
- [ ] The weather felt
- [ ] Where am I
- [ ] Temperature was
> **Explanation:** "He felt like a fish out of water" is an idiomatic expression similar to being 'Persona Non Grata.'
### True or False: An esteemed guest is the opposite of persona non grata.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Precisely! An esteemed guest is someone who is highly regarded, the exact opposite of an unwelcome or undesirable person.
Farewell Note 📝
Another day, another word to discover, and a cliché to uncover. Remember, even when you’re persona non grata, somewhere in the world, a dictionary still loves you.
— D. C. Lexophile, 2023
