fair-haired boy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair-haired boy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to someone who is favored or preferred, often in a context where favoritism is evident. An example: "In the office, he was the manager's fair-haired boy, always getting the best assignments." Alternative expressions include "golden boy" and "teacher's pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"That's my fair-haired boy," she said.

The New York Times

"He was the fair-haired boy of Nathaniel Owings," Mr. Stern said.

The New York Times - Arts

It will kill careers, unless you are the fair-haired boy".

The New York Times

In many ways, it's the incumbent versus the fair-haired boy, writ black, if you will".

The New York Times

Moments later, he receives much the same look from a fair-haired boy reading a Spanish potboiler.

The New York Times - Books

He was a young Italian who became "the fair-haired boy of all these places," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They are the fair-haired boys of London fashion.

The New York Times

Eugene Devlin and Phil Erickson were big shots in the department, fair-haired boys with powerful connections and thus big-time clout.

The New York Times

"He said, 'Oh, they're his fair-haired boys.' " Asked by the assistant district attorney Patrick Blessington what Father Gana meant by that, the witness replied, "He said the one that was in the front seat he was having sex with," according to the transcript.

The New York Times

"My favorite part of the Shed is that the actors have to enter it through the main foyer of the National, so if you're having coffee or waiting for another show, you see actors running past in costumes 25 seconds before the Shed gets under way," said Mr. Power, a 33-year-old playwright and dramaturge who is one of the fair-haired boys of the National's artistic director, Nicholas Hytner.

The New York Times

He recently published a 2001 interview with former-General Prabowo Subianto, the son-in-law of Suharto, Washington's "fair haired boy" and one of two presidential candidates who ran in Indonesia's recent election.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fair-haired boy" when you want to convey that someone is receiving preferential treatment or is highly favored, often implying that this favoritism might be unfair to others. For broader communication refer to Ludwig AI.

Common error

Avoid using "fair-haired boy" in neutral contexts. The phrase often carries a negative connotation of favoritism or preferential treatment that may not be appropriate for all situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair-haired boy" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe someone who is favored or receives preferential treatment. Ludwig AI provides several examples where it's used to denote favoritism in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fair-haired boy" is a noun phrase used to describe someone who is favored or receives preferential treatment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. The phrase often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the individual's success or position may be due to favoritism rather than merit. While alternatives like "golden boy" and "teacher's pet" exist, it's important to be aware of the potential for negative connotations when using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

golden boy

Emphasizes success and achievement in addition to being favored.

blue-eyed boy

A near synonym, highlighting the favored status.

teacher's pet

Specifically refers to being favored by a teacher in an academic setting.

favorite

A more general term for someone who is liked best.

protégé

Suggests a mentor-mentee relationship where the mentor shows favor and guidance.

privileged individual

Highlights the advantages someone receives, which can include favoritism.

chosen one

Implies a special destiny or purpose, often beyond simple favoritism.

anointed one

Suggests a formal or official endorsement and favor.

crown prince

Implies succession or inheritance of a favored position.

whipping boy

Indicates someone is chosen for blame, the opposite of favored.

FAQs

How can I use "fair-haired boy" in a sentence?

You can use "fair-haired boy" to describe someone who is favored or receives preferential treatment. For example, "He quickly became the manager's "fair-haired boy", receiving all the best assignments".

What are some alternatives to "fair-haired boy"?

Alternatives include "golden boy", "teacher's pet", or "blue-eyed boy", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of being favored or preferred.

Is "fair-haired boy" a positive or negative term?

The term often has a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is favored, sometimes unfairly, over others. It suggests that their success might be due to favoritism rather than solely on merit.

What is the origin of the phrase "fair-haired boy"?

The origin is uncertain, but it's speculated that the phrase may stem from historical or cultural associations where fair hair was seen as a sign of beauty or favor. However, the current usage focuses more on the favoritism aspect than physical appearance.