A.Word.A.Day --sacred cow

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Aug 6, 2008

This week's theme
Metaphorical descriptions of people

This week's words
paper tiger
loose cannon
sacred cow
tenderfoot
dark horse

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

sacred cow

PRONUNCIATION:

(SAY-krid kou)

MEANING:

Something that is beyond criticism.

ETYMOLOGY:

From the special regard for a cow in the Hindu religion.

USAGE:

"There are no sacred cows in the Philippine Army, Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado claimed, as he vowed not to tolerate any unlawful acts of soldiers, whatever their rank or position may be."
Gilbert Bayoran; Army General Faces Court Martial; The Visayan Daily Star (Bacolod City, Philippines); Jul 28, 2008.

See more usage examples of sacred cow in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. -Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and author (1817-1862)

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