Ignoring the Elephant in the Room

[compman]

Does anyone know how long the above phrase has been around?

I take it to mean: skirting around the most obvious subject that should be dealt with.

I've only became aware of it in the past year, but I presume it's been around for ages?

[THECORBYLOON]

See here for the details http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ele2.htm

[compman]

Many thanks for your reply. I've not come across that site before.

[jno]

all the same, I wonder if he's right. The book title he quotes seems to use it in the sense of 'something too big to ignore', whereas its current sense is the one you use: somethjng big that people are ignoring.

[Red Snapper]

Yes, you are more or less right, it was explained on Channel 4s 'Countdown' recently by Susy Dent (she explains origins of words and sayings each day) as being something everyone at a meeting is afraid to acknowledge let alone discuss, as it may harm them.
Hope this helps.
Red Snapper

[compman]

Thank you everybody.

[nocturnalme]

Heard this in a film or TV show a while back, about being uncomfortable on a first date. They'd 'gone back for coffee', things were tense and the guy mentioned the elephant in the room. Never heard it before that!