Pollyanna thinking is good, but don't use it wrong way. Being a positive person who always sees the good side of things and can always keep an upbeat attitude is great! See more. exciting challenge of being a wiseGEEK researcher and writer. Such attitudes may occur both in patients and their therapists. Some people view constant optimism as evidence of childishness, though this is not necessarily always true. A ‘Pollyanna’ is an excessively cheerful or over optimistic person. Post the Definition of Pollyanna to Facebook, Share the Definition of Pollyanna on Twitter. Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the A Pollyanna is someone who is blindly optimistic about every situation, sometimes to the point of foolishness. Learn a new word every day. Pollyann is a variant of Pollyanna. You didn't snapped your bones." See the full definition for Pollyanna in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for Pollyanna. Pollyanna is a 1913 novel by American author Eleanor H. Porter, considered a classic of children's literature. Whether or not you've seen the films or read the book, you're probably familiar with the concept behind the well-known little girl named Pollyanna. Pollyanna syndrome, the name being taken from a book of the same title, means “an excessively or blindly optimistic person.” The occurrence and danger of such attitudes in psychotherapy is discussed. : a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything. (♥) Note: This post was originally featured on the site A Journey. What is Pollyanna Syndrome? Other Words from Pollyanna Example Sentences Learn More about Pollyanna… Pollyanna Syndrome differs slightly from the Pollyannaism, otherwise known as the Positivity Principal.As if the distinction wasn’t tricky enough, the definitions found online make the terms more confusing. A Pollyanna is someone who is blindly optimistic about every situation, sometimes Lessons learned. What Does Pollyanna Mean and History? When most people think of Pollyanna, they think of an overly optimistic goody-goody who doesn’t see the harsh reality of the world. He was really angry. Research indicates that at the subconscious level, the mind tends to focus on the optimistic; while at the conscious level, it tends to focus on the negative. Further sequels followed, including Pollyanna Plays the Game by Colleen L. Reece, published in 1997. Pollyanna is generally used as a girl's name. I revised my thinking. That's being a Pollyanna. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Simple and memorable, it is a name considered by many parents. Pollyanna, named after her mother’s two lost sisters, was the only child from the marriage to survive: “the other babies had all died.” Her mother dies “several” years after Pollyanna’s birth. Due to the book's fame, "Pollyanna" has become a byword for someone Why are There so Many Orphan Heroes and Superheroes. In reality, Pollyanna cultivated an attitude of gratitude in … They really don't look inside much and everything is at a superficial level. The book had a huge impact when it first came out, and it continues to be surprisingly popular; typically it never falls out of print, and a number of sequels have even been written to continue Pollyanna's story. From the names Polly and Anna. The term derives from Eleanor H. Porter’s 1913 novel, Pollyanna, about an orphan with an unjustifiably optimistic attitude. ‘My inner Pollyanna can be quite the jargon-spewing tub-thumper when she wants to be.’ ‘Insofar as this is self-delusion rather than outright deceit, he is a Pollyanna.’ ‘And I don't want to be a Pollyanna but it's not impossible all these changes that we are now seeing in the … The meaning of Pollyanna is "bitter, gracious". It is rare in British and Canadian English, but it appears relatively often in Australian and New Zealand English. Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter †1920 American fiction writer. The book is widely regarded by many people to be a classic of American children's literature, and it has certainly had a profound impact on American society. 2021. Accessed 4 Apr. This article is just one person's opinion and it is very negative. Pollyanna means: A person regarded as being foolishly or blindly optimistic. The heroine of the book, Pollyanna, is an orphan who is sent to live with her aunt in Vermont. Pollyanna is a variant of the name Polly (English and Hebrew) in the English language. A Pollyanna is someone who is blindly optimistic about every situation, sometimes to the point of foolishness. It took me 15 years to realize that someone calling me a "Pollyanna" was actually a compliment and that looking on the bright side of life as much as possible is truly the path to peace. And lot of pain. It's very frustrating, makes you crazy. If someone said you have a "Pollyanna" attitude it usually isn't meant as a compliment. See Pollyanna for further details. It is sad that trying to be optimistic in a very negative world gets you this kind of comparison. Some modern readers may find the book and its lead character a bit simplistic and childish, but something about it seems to resonate with people. Blind cheerfulness pretending there is no work to be done and skipping off leaving the work to other people while you sing so you can't hear them working is not an actual positive way to be. n. A person regarded as being foolishly or blindly optimistic. The name Pollyanna is of English origin. --dz. People use the term "Pollyanna" for someone who sits in a meeting about their business going under and everyone losing their jobs if they don't make changes and find solutions, and says "just be positive! 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Pollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same optimistic outlook. Pollyanna was an irrepressibly, cheerful child. In her childhood, Pollyanna plays a game with her father called “The Glad Game,” in which the two try to look on the bright side of every situation, and she takes the game with her when she goes to live with her aunt. There is certainly nothing wrong with a little optimism, but unrelenting optimism can sometimes be grinding for some people, especially in trying circumstances. It’s origin is from a series of children's books beginning in 1913 with the book ‘Pollyanna’. Someone who is unfailingly cheerful — no matter what — can be described as pollyannaish. In fact, it’s used in a negative connotation. It doesn't get you anywhere. Often in combination with being God-fearing and perceiving oneself standing on a higher moral ground than others. Now go read the book, or watch the movie, about Pollyanna. Then I realized I was being a jerk. Over the course of the book, she transforms the outlook of people living in her town, teaching them all to look on the bright side of life. spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors. ― Sneasel 9/3/2005 Comments are left by users of this website. Generally someone who is accused of being a Pollyanna is also someone who refuses to see the truth in a situation, making it difficult to seriously discuss issues which must be dealt with. They don't see it from your perception. You call her an optimist, but I call her an obnoxious . The book was such a success that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up. The sense of a persistent optimist comes from the name of the protagonist in the novel Pollyanna, by Eleanor Porter. The word is primarily an Americanism. When someone calls you a Pollyanna, they are probably thinking of Pollyanna Syndrome. Pollyanna Name Meaning and History. The term is typically used in a negative way, to describe someone who cannot think about the more serious ramifications of various situations. Pollyanna played what she called the “Glad Game,” and what we might think of as practicing gratitude today. The "Pollyanna principle" means people say yes to positive statements (For example, instead of "What do you think of green? Lot of skin road rash. The term Pollyanna has … The term is typically used in a negative way, to describe someone who cannot think about the more serious ramifications of various situations. I became a better person. It's still a nice name, though. Being Positive, click here. It means that you are someone that only sees the positive and you are very optimistic but you refuse to … Shortly after the Revolutionary War broke out in April of 1775, Benedict Arnold set out as captain of the Connecticut Militia Company to … “Pollyanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pollyanna. Googling Pollyanna returns results such these: “An excessively cheerful or optimistic person.” [Google SERP] “a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything.” [Merriam Webster] “an excessively or blindly optimistic person.” [Dictionary.com] Like the child in the book, Pollyannas are amazing and inspirational people who make the world around them better because they understand it's true beauty. The Pollyanna principle (also called Pollyannaism or positivity bias) is the tendency for people to remember pleasant items more accurately than unpleasant ones. http://www.theaudiopedia.com What is POLLYANNA PRINCIPLE? To call someone a “Pollyanna” is to imply that the person has an unrealistic happy outlook on life or a situation. Eyeglasses broken. They think you're nuts because you have a negative thought. There is hate, there is fear, there is pain, and there is polarization. I became more committed with life. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and is what we call being a Pollyanna. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. I was thinking Pollyanna positively. " Very long time passing. (adjective) Belittling and often insulting term for being absurdly optimistic and good-hearted, believing in a good world where everything works out for the best all tht time. This term comes from a 1913 novel of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter. Subscribe to our newsletter and learn something new every day. Pollyannaism definition is - the overly optimistic and benevolently cheerful state of mind and point of view of a Pollyanna. A single author created them, but the public adopted them. People use the term "Pollyanna" for someone who looks at a person who can't access a classroom building and tells them, "That's OK! When the book came out, Pollyanna was undoubtedly designed to send a message to readers. Pollyanna definition, an excessively or blindly optimistic person. It's a reference to the book “Pollyanna” (Pollyanna - Wikipedia), which was also adapted into a play and several films and TV series. What does the term Pollyanna mean? Polian , Poliana , Polianna , Pollyana , Pollyann , Pollyanne , Polyan , Polyana , Polyane , and Polyanna are variants of Pollyanna. Laura Schumm. What does POLLYANNA PRINCIPLE mean? Blindly stating that everything is OK and that there is no work to be done and we should all just stop talking about solutions and just be happy (and let the company fold because we did nothing?) In that story, you have a community that’s been torn apart. One who is persistently cheerful and optimistic, even when given cause not to be so. See more. Needless to say, for Zenko rolling back militarization does not mean contempt for the military, and a running theme in his work is how civilian politicians and editorial writers take a more Pollyannish view than most brass about the problem-solving capabilities of lethal violence. It may not be a phrase that we hear much, but have you ever thought to consider whether or not you have a “Pollyanna attitude?” It basically means a person who only sees the positive in every situation. Polly is a form of Molly, which is a form of Mary, the English form of Maria, which comes from the name Miryam, from the Hebrew mar, meaning “sea” and yam, meaning “bitter”.Anna is the Latin form of Hannah, from the Hebrew name Channa, which means “grace”. instead of continuing to advocate for a wheelchair ramp. Eleven more Pollyanna sequels, known as "Glad Books", were later published, most of them written by Elizabeth Borton or Harriet Lummis Smith. If your friend tells you some terribly bad news, it would be pollyannaish to say, "Yes, but it's such a beautiful day!" Pollyanna synonyms, Pollyanna pronunciation, Pollyanna translation, English dictionary definition of Pollyanna. In every situation, no matter how sad or upsetting, Pollyanna tried to find at least one good thing—a “silver lining” as we often call it today. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). You lucky one. Where there is hate, Pollyanna brings love. I didn't want to be seen as a silly, overly optimistic person. What made you want to look up Pollyanna? To read the original two-part post, Being Pollyanna vs. People use the term "Pollyanna" for someone who is dismissing the disabilities or difficulties of others and talking at them telling them they should "just be positive and look at the good side!" Even Pollyanna struggles with things sometimes, losing the use of her legs briefly after a devastating accident, but she ultimately decides to be grateful for once having the use of her legs in the first place. A fearless name, Pollyann possesses great character. Pollyanna definition, an excessively or blindly optimistic person. If someone is called "Pollyanna", it means they are always happy like Pollyanna is. My good friend crashed with his bicycle on Asfalt street. Her unwavering optimism in the face of a variety of challenges was meant to remind readers that they could always find something good in a situation, even if the goodness wasn't always readily apparent. It'll all work out just fine" without doing anything or contributing at all to any actual ideas for the business. Yeah, try having a beef with a pollyanna. The book's success led to Porter's soon writing a sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up. Speaking up at that meeting cheerfully about things we can do to make it OK is a positive way to be. When you have a problem with them, they just don't get it. it means you are a positive person and like to look at the bright side, it's not really a bad thing. It sent me on a long journey of working to be taken seriously. Pollyanna has thereafter come into use as a term for someone with the same outlook. Pollyanna’s mother estranged from her two sisters and her parents when she chose to marry her husband. You don't have to take any of those science classes and you can stay outdoors and enjoy the sunshine!" You call her an optimist, but I call her an obnoxious . Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge! It is not a definition, it's a personal opinion. ", you can say "Don't you agree that green is a nice colour?"). A Pollyanna is a blindly or foolishly optimistic person. Someone who behaves like a Pollyanna might be said to be Pollyannaish, which is why you might hear statements like “so-and-so can be so Pollyannaish about sales numbers.”. What does pollyannic mean? Delivered to your inbox! What to say when someone calls you Pollyanna. After years of hearing every possible joke about the name Polly (actual), even being called Pollyanna by people, I can assure you this name will be changed. Definition of Pollyanna. Early days of childhood. 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