favorite son
LowFormal, Political
Definition
Meaning
A male political candidate who is strongly supported by delegates from his home state or region at a national political convention.
A person, especially a man, who is particularly favored, admired, or given preferential treatment within a specific group, organization, or community, often due to local loyalty or connections.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in political contexts, especially regarding US presidential nominating conventions. The term implies local or regional pride and strategic voting rather than a candidate with broad national appeal. Can be used metaphorically outside politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively American, originating from and being used in the context of US politics. In British English, the concept exists but the specific phrase 'favourite son' is rarely used in political discourse.
Connotations
In American usage, it carries specific political strategy connotations. In potential British usage, it would be more generic, implying a locally admired individual.
Frequency
Very common in American political journalism during election cycles; extremely rare in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[State]'s favorite sonrun as a favorite sonsupport the favorite sonVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's running as a favorite son, not expecting to win the nomination.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could metaphorically describe an employee heavily favored for promotion by their original department.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and American studies texts discussing electoral processes.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation outside of political discussion.
Technical
A technical term in political journalism and analysis for a specific convention strategy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The party decided to favourite son him for the regional list.
American English
- The state party moved to favorite son him on the first ballot.
adjective
British English
- He mounted a favourite-son campaign.
American English
- They organized a favorite-son delegation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a favorite son in his home town.
- The senator is considered the favorite son of his state.
- Delegates voted for their favorite son on the first ballot as a gesture of state pride.
- Running as a favorite son candidate, he aimed not to win the nomination but to control his state's delegates for the convention's later rounds.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a state treating a candidate like a 'favorite son' — the beloved child they proudly support at the big family reunion (the national convention).
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS IS FAMILY; the state is the parent, the candidate is the favored child.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'любимый сын'. The political meaning will be lost. Use 'кандидат, пользующийся поддержкой своего штата' or 'местный фаворит' for the political sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simply 'preferred person' without the political/regional context.
- Confusing it with 'golden boy', which implies widespread acclaim rather than local loyalty.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'favorite son'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, no. The term is gendered. The equivalent for a woman would be 'favorite daughter', though this phrase is far less common and not an established political term.
Yes, 'favourite' is the British English spelling. However, the term itself is an American political term, so the American spelling 'favorite son' is dominant even internationally in political discourse.
Not usually. The strategy is often about honoring a local figure, controlling a state's delegate votes, or influencing the platform, rather than seriously contending for the nomination.
Yes, but it's a metaphorical extension. It can describe any individual (usually male) who is specially favored within a specific group, organization, or locality due to his origins or connections there.
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