Is "golden child" a standing expression in English?
Charles Self
For example, Blackadder (in the British TV comedy) states:
"A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his
principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a *golden child*. But
personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an
amusing clock and a sack of French porn."
I'm wondering whether "golden child" carries any special meaning here,
or whether it just means "blonde child".
HVS
Don't know for sure, but I'd take it to mean nothing more than "a
blessed, beautiful, healthy, blond-haired-and-blue-eyed" child.
--
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed
CyberCypher
It's the name of an Eddie Murphy film: "The Golden Child (1986) is an
American mystical comedy film starring Eddie Murphy. Murphy plays
Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is confronted by a young Asian
woman (Charlotte Lewis) who tells him that he is the Chosen One
destined to save The Golden Child, the saviour of all mankind, from the
clutches of the demon Sardo Numspa, played by Charles Dance."
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Child>.
It's a monkier given to a a Brazilian soccer star who is neither blond
nor blue-eyed: "The golden child: Ronaldinho talks to Michael Kessler
about shunning celebrity, shredding defences, and the truth about his
goal against England".
<http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1430550,00.html>.
And it's the title of a novel set in a British museum: "Penelope
Fitzgerald's first novel, THE GOLDEN CHILD, combines a deft comedy of
manners with a classic mystery set in London's most refined institution
-- the museum. When the glittering treasure of ancient Garamantia, the
golden child, is delivered to the museum, a web of intrigue tightens
around its personnel, especially the hapless museum officer Waring
Smith. While prowling the halls one night, Waring is nearly strangled.
Two suspicious deaths ensue, and only the cryptic hieroglyphics of the
Garamantes can bring an end to the mayhem. Fitzgerald has an unerring
eye for human nature, and this satirical look at the art world delivers
a terrifically witty read."
<http://books.google.com.tw/books?id=fM6mcxYjK44C&hl=en>. The cover of
the novel has a picture of King Tut's torso. He was a "golden child" if
ever there was one. He did not have blond hair or blue eyes.
"Golden" doesn't necessarily mean "blond" or "blonde", asin the
expression "golden opportunity".
--
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
Cynical by nature, by habit, and by choice.
Native speaker of American; posting from Taiwan.
"It has come to my attention that my opinions are not universally
shared; ergo, they are not in the public domain." Anymouse.
Fred Springer
whom much is expected. As is the slightly less common "golden girl" --
each has several quotes in the OED.
There's also the line in a song in Shakespeare's Cymbeline:
"Golden lads and girls all must, as chimney sweepers, come to dust."
CyberCypher
And didn't King Midas turn his daughter into gold? She, too, then, was
a "golden child".
Barbara Bailey
@news.seed.net.tw:
> Charles Self wrote:
>
>> If so, what exactly does it refer to?
>> For example, Blackadder (in the British TV comedy) states:
>> "A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his
>> principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a *golden child*. But
>> personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an
>> amusing clock and a sack of French porn."
>> I'm wondering whether "golden child" carries any special meaning here,
>> or whether it just means "blonde child".
>
> It's the name of an Eddie Murphy film: "The Golden Child (1986)
...
>
> It's a monkier given to a a Brazilian soccer star who is neither blond
> nor blue-eyed: "The golden child: Ronaldinho talks to Michael Kessler
> about shunning celebrity, shredding defences, and the truth about his
> goal against England".
> <http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1430550,00.html>.
>
> And it's the title of a novel set in a British museum: "Penelope
> Fitzgerald's first novel, THE GOLDEN CHILD, combines a deft comedy of
> manners with a classic mystery ...
>
> "Golden" doesn't necessarily mean "blond" or "blonde", asin the
> expression "golden opportunity".
But more to the point, and touched on by your cite of the soccer player's
nickname, it means someone perceived as particularly valuable; a
favorite; one who is so wonderful (or lucky) as to deserve preferential
treatment; a godlike person. Generally, it also implies a physically
attractive person.
****
Of Another World: Dancing Between Dream and Reality : Festschrift
Presented by Monna Dithmer, Erik Aschengreen
"One was a golden child, the other a lonely proletarian who, on seeing
all the towers and spires that he had so desperately longed for, burst
into tears"
****
Struggling to Be Heard: The Unmet Needs of Asian Pacific American
Children by Valerie Ooka Pang, Li-Rong Lilly Cheng 1998
"Hence, the "golden child" brings honor to the entire family when he/she
is successful."
****
Psychoanalysis in Childhood and Adolescence by Kai von Klitzing, Phyllis
Tyson, Dieter Bürgin 2000
"According to her parents she had been a 'golden child' from the time of
her adoption ... Then, quite abruptly, the golden child became a problem
child..."
****
Sophia House: A Novel by Michael D. O'Brien 2005
"Clearly, Itsak was a golden child, beaming with the love and security
showered upon him."
****
Malcolm and Millicent: The Early Years by Erma B Anderson 2003
"Since Hazel is your golden child, this probably won't make any
difference to you, but Millicent and I are having a baby in February."
****
Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy 1964
"Known throughout Europe for her charm and good looks, Mary is the golden
child of the Tudor family and is granted her every wish."
CyberCypher
> "CyberCypher" <dontb...@easypeasy.com> wrote:
[...]
> > expression "golden opportunity".
>
> appearance, but more with potential. A savant, for example; or
> Mozart of the age of 5; or some other exceptional prodigy who is
> well-regarded by the people around him.
>
> I know the urban dictionary is largely useless, but its definition
> fits fairly close to my own:
>
> <http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=golden+child>
Precisely.
Here's a song in which the "golden" means "blonde":
America: Sister Golden Hair
Well I tried to make it sunday, but I got so damn depressed
That I set my sights on monday and I got myself undressed
I aint ready for the altar but I do agree theres times
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine
Well, I keep on thinkin bout you, sister golden hair surprise
And I just cant live without you; cant you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesnt mean you aint been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I dont mind sayin, I just cant make it
Well, I keep on thinkin bout you, sister golden hair surprise
And I just cant live without you; cant you see it in my eyes?
Now I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesnt mean you aint been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I dont mind sayin, I just cant make it
Doo wop doo wop ...
CDB
[golden child; no literally]
> I've always taken 'golden child' to have nothing to do with
> appearance, but more with potential. A savant, for example; or
> Mozart of the age of 5; or some other exceptional prodigy who is
> well-regarded by the people around him.
>
> I know the urban dictionary is largely useless, but its definition
> fits fairly close to my own:
>
> http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=golden+child
But there seems to be a connection with physical appearance, at least
in some cultures. Consider the similar "fair-haired boy".
By coincidence, a recent poster here had a family monicker along those
lines: MAO* Gilvy (gille-bhuidhe is Gaelic for fairhaired-boy, or
running-dog -- something like that).
*(Respect to the Cat for that perfect reply.)
Peter Duncanson (BrE)
He is Malcolm Ogilvie.
http://www.indaal.demon.co.uk/
>*(Respect to the Cat for that perfect reply.)
>
<bows head>
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
Nasti J
did you mean a "standard" expression?
Prai Jei
> In article <xn0fnqx4...@news.seed.net.tw>,
>> > I'm wondering whether "golden child" carries any special meaning here,
>> > or whether it just means "blonde child".
>>
>> It's the name of an Eddie Murphy film:
>> It's a monkier given to a a Brazilian soccer star
>> And it's the title of a novel set in a British museum:
>
> There's also a play by the same name
>
>> "Golden" doesn't necessarily mean "blond" or "blonde", asin the
>> expression "golden opportunity".
>
> I've always taken 'golden child' to have nothing to do with appearance,
> but more with potential. A savant, for example; or Mozart of the age of
> 5; or some other exceptional prodigy who is well-regarded by the people
> around him.
As a kid I was blond, blue-eyed (still am) and something of an infant
prodigy. See my pic in the rogues' gallery.
But they never called me *that*.
--
ξ:) Proud to be curly
Interchange the alphabetic letter groups to reply
Charles Self
Hm, I thought that "standing expression" was a standing expression,
proper English I mean, and Google finds over 3000 hits. However this
thread comes out on top, so I might be mistaken.
http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=%22standing+expression%22&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Robin Bignall
When his mother collapsed, a boy aged two phoned the emergency
services and had to find a box to stand on to let them into the house.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3571742.ece
<q>Penelope Leach, the child-care expert and author of Your Baby &
Child from Birth to Age Five, said that there was a vast difference in
the abilities of a two-year-old toddler and a rising three-year-old.
"The thing I find the most surprising is that he could find the
numbers on the phone. That is really the cleverest thing about it,"
she said. "We teach young children so awfully little that it is easy
to forget how much they can do."</q>
--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England
Amethyst Deceiver
docr...@ntlworld.com says...
> When his mother collapsed, a boy aged two phoned the emergency
> services and had to find a box to stand on to let them into the house.
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3571742.ece
>
> <q>Penelope Leach, the child-care expert and author of Your Baby &
> Child from Birth to Age Five, said that there was a vast difference in
> the abilities of a two-year-old toddler and a rising three-year-old.
> "The thing I find the most surprising is that he could find the
> numbers on the phone. That is really the cleverest thing about it,"
> she said. "We teach young children so awfully little that it is easy
> to forget how much they can do."</q>
Leach obviously wasn't told that the mother has coached both her
children from an early age to call 999 in an emergency.
--
Linz
Wet Yorks via Cambridge, York, London and Watford
My accent may vary
Robin Bignall
I don't know whether she had or not, but coaching is different from a
real emergency. A lot of adults freeze up when presented with the
real thing, and I think he did well for a two-year-old.
I quoted that bit of it mainly for the last line of her comment, with
which I happen to agree.
Charles Self
insightful.