barbecue stopper
LowInformal, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A highly controversial or divisive topic of conversation that dominates social gatherings, like a barbecue, halting other light conversation.
Any issue of significant social or political controversy that becomes a primary, unavoidable topic of discussion in informal social settings, often causing debate or discomfort.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is almost exclusively used in a figurative, metaphorical sense, referring to the *effect* of a topic, not a physical object. It implies a sudden, awkward, or engrossing shift in conversation. Coined and popularized in Australian political discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and remains most strongly associated with Australian English. It is understood but rarely used in British English. In American English, the concept is often expressed with phrases like 'third rail issue' (in politics) or 'hot-button topic', but 'barbecue stopper' itself is very rare.
Connotations
In Australian usage, it carries a specific cultural resonance about mateship and avoiding conflict in social settings. In other dialects, it may simply be seen as a colourful metaphor for a divisive topic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both British and American English. Its use outside of Australia or discussions about Australian politics/culture is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Topic/Issue] is/was a barbecue stopper[Event] created/turned into a barbecue stopperVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's] a real BBQ stopper.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used humorously to describe a controversial new policy that dominates office kitchen talk.
Academic
Very rare. Not a technical term. Might appear in papers on Australian sociolinguistics or political discourse.
Everyday
Primary context. Used in media commentary and informal conversation to label socially disruptive topics.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- It was a real barbecue-stopper moment at the garden party.
American English
- The debate had a barbecue-stopper effect on the family reunion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Immigration can be a barbecue stopper in some countries.
- The new tax policy quickly became a barbecue stopper, dominating conversation at every social event for weeks.
- Politicians are often warned to steer clear of genuine barbecue stoppers like climate change or housing affordability during election campaigns, lest they alienate swing voters in suburban settings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you're at a happy BBQ. Someone mentions THAT one political issue. The sizzling stops, everyone freezes, and the conversation grinds to a halt – it's a BBQ *stopper*.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HARMONY IS A FLOWING SOCIAL EVENT / A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC IS AN OBSTRUCTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation ("остановщик барбекю") – it is nonsense. The core idea is 'острая/спорная тема, которая всех заводит/разделяет' or 'тема, которая портит всю атмосферу'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to a physical device for closing a barbecue grill. *Incorrect*: 'I need a new barbecue stopper for the lid.'
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to barbecue stop').
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English did the term 'barbecue stopper' originate and is it most commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is exclusively a metaphorical term for a controversial conversation topic. A physical device for a barbecue would be called a 'lid' or 'cover'.
It is highly informal and journalistic. In formal academic or business writing, use alternatives like 'divisive issue', 'contentious topic', or 'politically sensitive subject'.
"Hot-button issue" or "third-rail issue" (in politics). While Americans understand the metaphor, they are far less likely to use the specific phrase 'barbecue stopper'.
Mostly. It implies the topic disrupts social harmony. However, it can sometimes be used with a degree of admiration for a topic's power to engage people, though the connotation of divisiveness remains.