balaam
Very Low / ObsoleteHistorical / Archaic / Journalistic Jargon
Definition
Meaning
In journalism, filler or unimportant material (often odd or whimsical) kept in reserve for when space needs to be filled.
Figuratively, any trivial, insignificant, or surplus item, or someone who unexpectedly advocates for a cause they were previously opposed to (from the biblical prophet Balaam).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a historical term from 19th and early 20th-century newspaper production. Its meaning derives from the biblical character Balaam (Numbers 22-24), a prophet who blessed the Israelites despite being hired to curse them, leading to his use as a type of unexpected advocate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The journalistic sense was likely used in both, but the term is now archaic everywhere. The biblical reference is identical.
Connotations
Historical curiosity; has no contemporary social or cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both variants, surviving only in historical texts or discussions of obsolete jargon.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to be] + balaam[a bit/piece of] + balaamVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Balaam turnabout (rare, meaning a sudden reversal of opinion or stance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical studies of journalism or biblical typology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Historical term in printing/journalism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No common verb use)
American English
- (No common verb use)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb use)
American English
- (No adverb use)
adjective
British English
- The editor asked for some balaam copy to fill the last column.
American English
- They dipped into the balaam file for a quick filler.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable for A2 level)
- (Not applicable for B1 level)
- In old newspapers, editors kept a 'balaam box' of short, odd stories to fill empty spaces.
- His sudden defence of the policy was a real Balaam turnabout.
- The term 'balaam' originates from the eponymous biblical prophet, whose unexpected blessings made him a metaphor for reserved, often trivial, editorial matter.
- The apprentice's first published piece was mere balaam, relegated to the bottom corner of page seven.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BALAAM: Box Always Left Around And Mostly empty. It was filler material kept in a box.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNEXPECTED ADVOCATE is a BALAAM / INSIGNIFICANT MATERIAL is BALAAM (JUNK).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'пророк' (prophet) in modern contexts; the term is not a common personal name in English. It refers specifically to the biblical figure or the derived jargon.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Balaan', 'Balam'.
- Assuming it's a common modern English word.
- Pronouncing the second 'a' as /ɑː/ (it's /æ/).
Practice
Quiz
What was a 'balaam box' used for in historical journalism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and highly specialised term from historical printing and journalism. It is extremely rare in modern usage.
The word derives from Balaam, a prophet in the Book of Numbers who was hired to curse the Israelites but instead blessed them, becoming an unexpected advocate. This idea of 'unexpected/useful material' was applied to reserve newspaper copy.
It is pronounced /ˈbeɪ.læm/ (BAY-lam), with the stress on the first syllable and a short 'a' sound in the second, like in 'lamb'.
There is no standard or attested verb use for 'balaam' in modern or historical English. It is primarily a noun (and occasionally an adjective in its jargon sense).