What is the meaning of the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”?
Without any noticeable effect. (Usually referring to something potential harmful or hurtful.)
What is the origin of the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”?
The phrase “like water off a duck’s back” refers to the way that rain water simply glides straight off a duck’s feathers rather than absorbing the rain water and becoming saturated. The water does not penetrate the feathers at all, and instead there are visible drops formed that roll off the duck’s back.
When water runs off a duck’s back, it makes no difference to them, and they can carry on with what they were doing utterly regardless of any water that may be on their back or on their feathers.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first use of the phrase in English is believed to date back to 1824, when it appeared in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine.
Interpretations of the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”?
The phrase “like water off a duck’s back” is a simile and metaphor that has become cliche because it’s been used so much.
It’s often used to describe someone who appears nonchalant about a complaint that has been made about their behaviour, or a situation that someone has had to face.
Conversely, the phrase can also be used to refer to someone who seems not to take on any valuable advice that is being passed on to them, possibly because they are too head strong in their decisions.
How do you use the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”?
The phrase “like water off a duck’s back” is frequently used in response to describe someone’s response to something potentially harmful or hurtful, such as criticism or an outright insult.
The phrase can be used in a wide array of contexts, and it usually has positive connotations because it’s generally used to refer to how criticism is not being absorbed, or taken personally, and is instead being dealt with in a calm and considered way.
Examples of such contexts may include being bullied at school and not reacting, or being nagged to do housework by a spouse, and remaining unmoved by the request. The phrase can also be used to describe the behaviour of someone who has come under intense scrutiny by the media following allegations in the run up to a legal case or trial.
You can use the phrase to describe your own behaviour or someone else’s. It can be used to refer to both immediate reactions and responses and long-term ones, or it can refer to how someone has grown so accustomed to the criticism that it has become like “water off a duck’s back”.
What are some notable uses of the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”?
Politics
The former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was frequently associated with stoicism in the face of media and political criticism. Journalists and commentators of the time described her demeanor as akin to “water off a duck’s back,” especially regarding labor strikes, anti-Tory sentiment, and scrutiny over the Falklands War.
Similarly, in interviews and media coverage, the former American President Barack Obama was often described as having the ability to let political attacks “roll off him like water off a duck’s back.” This was particularly emphasized during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns, when critics accused him of being aloof or too composed in the face of smear tactics.
Theresa May, another former British Prime Minister, was frequently characterized by the press as enduring criticism with a stiff upper lip in the face of significant backlash over Brexit negotiations. This prompted frequent metaphorical usage of “water off a duck’s back.” In a 2018 Guardian editorial, this very phrase was used to describe her reaction to opposition both within her party and from the public.
Media and Pop Culture
Perhaps one of the most widely cited modern uses of the phrase is from Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where contestant Jinkx Monsoon—a self-proclaimed underdog—famously said:
“Water off a duck’s back, water off a duck’s back, water off a duck’s back.”
This became her mantra during the competition as she faced ridicule from fellow contestants. The phrase resonated with fans as a declaration of self-assurance and resilience, turning it into a cultural slogan for those facing adversity with grace. It has since become iconic within the LGBTQ+ community and is often quoted on social media and fan merchandise.
Music and Song Lyrics
There was a song called “Duck’s Back” by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, released in 2014. The song metaphorically discusses emotional detachment, including references to letting go of past criticisms, thus mirroring the idiom’s intent.
