selling-plater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, specialised (horse racing)
Quick answer
What does “selling-plater” mean?
A racehorse of poor quality, run frequently in low-grade races primarily to win prize money, often sold cheaply.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A racehorse of poor quality, run frequently in low-grade races primarily to win prize money, often sold cheaply.
Any person, product, or enterprise considered to be of low quality, performing at a basic or uncompetitive level, often used pejoratively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and is primarily used in British and Irish horse racing. It may be understood in US racing circles but is far less common; 'claimer' or 'cheap claimer' are more typical American equivalents.
Connotations
Strongly pejorative in both contexts, implying inherent inferiority and a lack of class or potential.
Frequency
Infrequent in general English, but recognised in UK/Irish sporting and business commentary as a metaphor.
Grammar
How to Use “selling-plater” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a mere selling-plater.They treat [object] like a selling-plater.He dismissed it as a selling-plater.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “selling-plater” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – primarily a noun.
American English
- N/A – primarily a noun.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He has a selling-plater mentality about his work.
American English
- It was a selling-plater effort from the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe a low-margin, low-growth product or a poorly performing subsidiary company.
Academic
Rarely used; might appear in historical/sociological texts on sport or class.
Everyday
Very rare; used by some to insult a car, team, or underperformer.
Technical
Standard term in British/Irish horse racing for a horse competing in the lowest grade of races.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “selling-plater”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “selling-plater”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “selling-plater”
- Misspelling as 'selling-plate' or 'selling player'.
- Using it as a compliment.
- Applying it to inanimate objects without metaphorical intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a strong insult, implying they are mediocre, lacking class, and only fit for low-level competition.
No, it is primarily a British and Irish horse racing term. Americans in racing might use 'claimer' instead.
They are very similar. A 'selling-plater' runs in races where the winner is automatically auctioned. A 'claimer' runs in races where any horse can be bought (claimed) for a set price before the race.
Almost never. It is inherently derogatory, comparing the subject to the lowest class of racehorse.
A racehorse of poor quality, run frequently in low-grade races primarily to win prize money, often sold cheaply.
Selling-plater is usually informal, specialised (horse racing) in register.
Selling-plater: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛlɪŋ ˈpleɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛlɪŋ ˈpleɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be nothing but a selling-plater”
- “out of the selling-plater ranks”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a market stall (plate) that only sells cheap, basic pottery (selling plater) – nothing fine or valuable. A 'selling-plater' is the linguistic equivalent for a racehorse.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH IS QUALITY / COMPETITION IS A RACE. A person/thing is conceptualised as a low-grade racehorse, mapping the attributes (slow, cheap, frequent losses) onto the target.
Practice
Quiz
In which context did the term 'selling-plater' originate?