How Do You Spell ARE A WHIPPING BOY?

Pronunciation: [ɑːɹ ɐ wˈɪpɪŋ bˈɔ͡ɪ] (IPA)

The phrase "are a whipping boy" refers to someone who takes the blame or punishment for another's wrongdoing. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ɑr ə ˈwɪpɪŋ bɔɪ/. The "a" in "are" is pronounced as the vowel sound in "father," while the "i" in "whipping" is pronounced as the vowel sound in "bit." The stress falls on the second syllable of "whipping," indicated by the apostrophe in the transcription. The final word, "boy," is pronounced with a long "i" sound as in "sky."

ARE A WHIPPING BOY Meaning and Definition

1. To be "a whipping boy" refers to a person who is blamed, berated, or punished for the mistakes, faults, or misdeeds of others, often on their behalf or as a scapegoat. The idiom originates from a historical practice prevalent in European aristocratic families during the 16th and 17th centuries. In those times, young noblemen were frequently raised together with a designated companion, referred to as a "whipping boy."

   The primary purpose of a whipping boy was to serve as a substitute for the education and discipline of a noble child. If a young lord, for instance, committed an offense that warranted punishment, the noble child was considered too high-ranking to be physically disciplined. Therefore, the punishment was carried out on the whipping boy instead, assuming that the actual culprit would feel remorse and be more inclined to behave suitably in the future.

   In contemporary usage, "a whipping boy" refers metaphorically to a person who bears the brunt of blame, criticism, or punishment for someone else's actions or shortcomings. This individual becomes the target of anger or frustration, regardless of their personal involvement or responsibility in a given situation. Being a whipping boy can be unjust and involve bearing the consequences for someone else's mistakes or failings, making it a metaphorical representation of being unfairly victimized or made the scapegoat.

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