straw man
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1986 passim, shows first known usages for things insubstantial date to 1585-95. Universal Dictionary of the English Language, 1897, Vol 4, p. 4485, notes "man of straw" as "The figure of a man formed of an old suit of clothes stuffed with straw; hence, the mere resemblance of a man; one of no substance or means; an imaginary person."
[edit] Noun
- A doll or scarecrow.
- An insubstantial concept, idea, or endeavor.
- Something, such as an argument, deliberately set up weakly supported, so that it can be easily knocked down; especially to impugn the strength of any related thing or idea.
- An innocuous person or someone of nominal or lesser importance, as a front man or straw boss. cf. straw poll, straw shoe, straw vote.
[edit] Translations
doll or scarecrow
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insubstantial concept, idea, or endeavor
something deliberately set up weakly supported
front man or straw boss
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