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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Meaning of "born to runner-up"

Hi,

I think I heard this on the Simpsons:

You were born to runner-up

Now, I know that the runner-up is a competitor who comes in in second place, so I naturally assume that the sentence means "you were born to be second-best" or something that amounts to that.

Am I correct?

Do you hear "born to runner-up" on a routine basis ? Would I raise a few eyebrows if I uttered that sentence ?

Thanks !
  

Top answer

MrPernickety Do you hear "born to runner-up" on a routine basis ? Would I raise a few eyebrows if I uttered that sentence ? I've never heard it.

— RayH

  • MrPernickety Do you hear "born to runner-up" on a routine basis ?
  • Would I raise a few eyebrows if I uttered that sentence ?
  • I've never heard it.
  • Yes, you probably would raise some eyebrows if you said it to someone.
  • php/Lisa%27s_Rival
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3 Answers
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MrPernicketyDo you hear "born to runner-up" on a routine basis ? Would I raise a few eyebrows if I uttered that sentence ?
I've never heard it. Yes, you probably would raise some eyebrows if you said it to someone.

EDIT:
I just did a quick Google search and found the explanation (such as it is):
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Heh, turns out it is just a reference to a popular song, and it is not recognizable among lay folks, who haven't seen that explanation. Then that phrase is not worth my while.
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MrPernicketyThen that phrase is not worth my while.
No. It isn't. Nevertheless, you will sometimes hear

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."
"to play second fiddle/violin (to someone else)"

which express ideas in the same semantic field.

CJ
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