English Explanatory Dictionary

reverse ferret

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A sudden volte-face in an organisation's editorial line on a certain issue, especially one without acknowledgment of the previous position.

Word forms

reverse ferret reverse ferrets

Etymology

The term originates from Kelvin MacKenzie's time at the The Sun. His preferred description of the role of journalists when it came to public figures was to "stick a ferret up their trousers". This meant making their lives uncomfortable, and was based on the northern sport of ferret-legging. However, when it became clear that the tide of public opinion had turned against the paper's line, MacKenzie would burst from his office shouting "Reverse Ferret!"

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