agony column
C2Informal, somewhat dated/archaic
Definition
Meaning
A section in a newspaper or magazine (traditionally) where readers' personal and emotional problems are published along with advice.
By extension, any regular advice column or forum dealing with personal, emotional, or relationship problems.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is inherently journalistic/historical and carries a slight archaism. Modern equivalents are 'advice column' or the name of a specific columnist (e.g., 'Dear Abby').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is more strongly associated with UK journalism. In the US, 'advice column' is the more common modern term, though 'agony column' is understood.
Connotations
In UK English, it has a stronger historical resonance with traditional print media. In US English, it can sound slightly quaint or British.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, though still dated. Very low frequency in contemporary US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] reads/writes to/consults the agony column.The agony column [verb: offers/gives/provides] advice.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in media or publishing discussions about newspaper sections.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical/media studies contexts discussing the history of journalism or popular culture.
Everyday
Understandable but not commonly used in active speech; more likely in nostalgic conversation or describing older media.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He had an agony-column style of giving advice.
- The magazine's agony-column page was very popular.
American English
- She wrote with an agony-column tone.
- It was a very agony-column kind of problem.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandma liked to read the agony column in her newspaper.
- She wrote to the agony column about her problem with a noisy neighbour.
- Before the internet, many people sought anonymous advice through newspaper agony columns.
- The cultural historian analysed the mid-20th century agony column as a barometer of changing social mores.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone in AGONY over a personal problem, writing a letter to be published in a COLUMN of a newspaper.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWSPAPER SECTIONS ARE PHYSICAL COLUMNS (architectural metaphor); EMOTIONAL PAIN (AGONY) IS A PHYSICAL AILMENT REQUIRING A REMEDY (the advice).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation resulting in 'колонка агонии'. It is not about a pillar in pain.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to a sports or political column. Confusing it with 'gossip column'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a modern, more common term for an 'agony column'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered somewhat dated or archaic. 'Advice column' or the specific name of the columnist (e.g., 'Dear Abby') are more common today.
Not directly. Here, 'agony' is used figuratively to mean severe mental distress or emotional anguish related to personal problems.
It could be described metaphorically as a 'modern agony column' or 'digital agony column', but traditionally the term refers to a print publication feature.
The 'agony aunt' (or 'uncle') is the person who writes the advice. The 'agony column' is the section of the publication where the letters and advice appear.