Strong Silent Type, The 💪🕶️
Definition: A man of few words but effective action; one who masks his feelings. This phrase, today nearly always used ironically, was extremely popular with women novelists of the early 1900s who used it to depict a very romantic figure. Even today, when it may be obsolescent, it is never used for a woman. Leslie Charteris had it in The Saint and Templar (1978): “I’ve always fancied myself as the strong silent type.” Also see macho.
Related Terms and Expressions:
- Man of Few Words: One who speaks very little.
- Macho: Displaying aggressive pride in one’s masculinity.
- Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
- Man of Action: Someone who prefers doing things rather than talking about them.
- Brooding: Showing deep unhappiness of thought.
Synonyms:
- Taciturn hero
- Quiet strength
- Stoic character
- Strongman
Antonyms:
- Chatty Cathy
- Open book
- Drama king
- Loudmouth
Humor-filled Quotes and Proverbs:
- “Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.” — Anonymous
- “I’d rather be a man of silence than a wise man who never listens.” — W. T. Wittywords
- “The strong silent type attracts a crowd, but beware if they start brooding—they may just turn into Batman!”
Inspirational Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, Movies:
- Books: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Songs: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
- Movies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966), Dirty Harry (1971), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Poetry: “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
Learning Through Fun! Take the Quiz 🎉
### Which of these is a genuine expression of "The Strong Silent Type"?
- [x] Man of few words
- [ ] Loud lion
- [ ] Verbal tiger
- [ ] Chatty crocodile
> **Explanation:** "Man of few words" perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Strong Silent Type. The others? Creative but not genuine.
### What is a synonym for the Strong Silent Type?
- [ ] Open book
- [ ] Drama king
- [x] Taciturn hero
- [ ] Loudmouth
> **Explanation:** "Taciturn hero" is another term for the Strong Silent Type, emphasizing the hero's quiet nature. The others are all quite different!
### True or False: The Strong Silent Type is only used to describe men.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. Historically and traditionally, this phrase has been used to describe men, possibly signifying traditional gender roles and expectations in literature and society.
Until next time, remember: silence can be golden, but it’s the moments of unspoken action that truly make legends.
W. T. Wittywords,
October 1, 2023
