children's crusade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyHistorical, Academic, Literary, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “children's crusade” mean?
A failed popular crusade by European Christian children in 1212, aimed at peacefully converting Muslims in the Holy Land.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A failed popular crusade by European Christian children in 1212, aimed at peacefully converting Muslims in the Holy Land.
Any ambitious, idealistic, and ultimately doomed movement undertaken by inexperienced, naive, or youthful individuals. Used metaphorically to describe naive campaigns or enterprises that are destined to fail due to their impractical, romanticized nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both use the term identically for historical and figurative contexts.
Connotations
Identical historical and metaphorical connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to educated or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “children's crusade” in a Sentence
The <Children's Crusade> [verb: ended/failed/was...]The government dismissed the protest as a <Children's Crusade>.He launched his own <Children's Crusade> against corporate corruption.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “children's crusade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are essentially children's-crusading their way through the policy debate.
American English
- He's just Children's-Crusading against the system with no real plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to criticize a poorly planned, emotionally-driven business venture launched by inexperienced staff: 'The startup's marketing plan was a total Children's Crusade.'
Academic
Used in historical discourse about medieval Europe, or in sociology/political science to analyse failed social movements: 'The paper analyses the 1212 Children's Crusade through a lens of mass psychology.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used figuratively to describe a hopelessly naive community project or protest: 'Trying to get everyone to recycle perfectly is a bit of a Children's Crusade.'
Technical
Specific to historical studies. Not used in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “children's crusade”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “children's crusade”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “children's crusade”
- Using it to describe any children's activity (e.g., a school trip). Incorrect pluralization: *Childrens' Crusade*. Using it as a positive term for youthful energy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it refers to popular movements in 1212 where thousands of children, adolescents, and poor Europeans set out for the Holy Land. Their fate is unclear, but most never reached their goal, perishing or being sold into slavery.
Rarely. Its dominant connotations are tragic failure and misplaced idealism. Using it positively would be highly ironic or require very careful contextual framing to subvert the standard meaning.
Yes, when referring specifically to the 1212 event, it is a proper noun: 'the Children's Crusade'. In metaphorical use, capitalization is optional but often retained: 'it was a (C/c)hildren's (C/c)rusade'.
A 'Crusade' historically refers to the major medieval military expeditions. 'Children's Crusade' specifies the unique, non-military, and popular nature of the 1212 event, and by extension, a metaphorical endeavor lacking the organization, resources, or realism of a true 'crusade'.
A failed popular crusade by European Christian children in 1212, aimed at peacefully converting Muslims in the Holy Land.
Children's crusade is usually historical, academic, literary, figurative in register.
Children's crusade: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪldrənz kruːˈseɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪldrənz kruːˈseɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was a Children's Crusade from the start.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a group of CHILDREN in medieval clothes, CRUSADING (marching) with wooden swords towards the sea, only to be stopped. It's a vivid image of a naive, doomed journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN IDEALISTIC PURSUIT IS A DOOMED/NAIVE CRUSADE. A FUTILE ENDEAVOUR IS A CHILD'S QUEST.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary metaphorical meaning of 'Children's Crusade'?