Aunt Sally

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a person who is a ready target for criticism or focus for disputation.

Aunt Sally

/ ˈsælɪ /

noun

1. a figure of an old woman's head, typically with a clay pipe, used in fairgrounds and fêtes as a target for balls or other objects
2. any person who is a target for insults or criticism
3. something set up as a target for disagreement or attack

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aunt Sally¹

First recorded in 1860–65; so called from the figure used as a target at fairs

Example Sentences

The best pralines I have ever eaten were in New Orleans, from a shop near the French Market called Aunt Sally’s, a family-owned, women-led company that has been hand-pouring French Creole-style pralines since 1935.

From Salon

Never saccharine-sweet or grainy as some pralines can be, Aunt Sally’s sets the bar to measure all the rest, and Praline Apple Cake captures the spirit of their perfection.

From Salon

It is the cake version of Aunt Sally’s pralines.

From Salon

Let’s say you want to give Aunt Sally a gift card to a clothing store.

From Seattle Times

“I do have an aunt Sally,” Madge says, amazed.

From Literature