PhrasesHub

Silly season

    Definitions

      • a period of time when people behave in a silly or irrational manner
        Describing a time when people are acting in a foolish or nonsensical way, often due to a lack of seriousness or rational thought

      • a period of time when news is dominated by trivial or frivolous stories
        Referring to a time when the media is filled with light-hearted or unimportant news stories, often due to a lack of significant events or serious issues

    Examples of Silly season

    • The news cycle during summer months when there are few major news stories is often referred to as the "silly season."

      During the summer months, many major news events, such as political scandals, natural disasters, and economic crises, tend to decline. This leads to a lack of significant news stories, which some people refer to as the "silly season." During this time, some media outlets may cover less important or more sensational news stories, which are often labeled as "silly."

    • The debate over whether to rename a local park has taken on an almost comical level during the silly season.

      In this example, "silly season" is used to describe the exaggerated or comical nature of a debate over a relatively insignificant issue during the summer months when there are few major news stories.

    • During the silly season, many politicians make ill-advised public appearances or statements in an attempt to stay in the news.

      During the summer months, some politicians may try to generate media coverage by making ill-advised public appearances or statements. This behavior is often labeled as "silly" because it is unnecessary or attention-seeking, and it can seem out of place during a time when there are few major news stories.

    • The mainstream media's coverage of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters is a classic example of the silly season.

      This example uses "silly season" to describe the media's coverage of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters during the summer months when there are few major news stories. This type of coverage is often labeled as "silly" because it is speculative, lacks evidence, and can seem out of place during a time when there are few major news stories.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "silly season" can be used to describe both a time when people are acting foolishly or irrationally, as well as a period when news is filled with trivial or frivolous stories. It is typically used to convey a sense of lightheartedness or lack of seriousness in a particular time period.

    Origin of "Silly season"

    The origin of the idiom "silly season" can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was first used in the context of journalism. In the United Kingdom, the term was initially used to describe the slow news period during the summer months when Parliament was not in session. During this time, newspapers often resorted to publishing light-hearted or trivial stories to fill their pages. Over time, the term "silly season" became associated with any period when news is dominated by frivolous or unimportant stories.

    The use of the idiom to describe a period of irrational or foolish behavior by people can be traced to a similar idea of a lighthearted and frivolous time. It is often used to convey a sense of amusement or disbelief at the behavior of individuals during such a period. Overall, the idiom "silly season" has evolved to capture the essence of a time when frivolity and lightheartedness prevail.