Brickbat -

Whether literal or metaphorical, the brickbat remains a symbol of pointed, forceful opposition. Brickbat to the editor - Nitin, you can't be serious!

"The politician handled the on social media with surprising grace". brickbat

One of the most famous literal uses of the term appears in 17th-century English legal history. In a reported case from 1631, a condemned prisoner "threw a brickbat at the said Judge, which narrowly missed". The marginal note for this case became legendary in the legal world for its "Law French" description of the event: "le prisoner ject un brickbat a le dit Justice que narrowly mist" . Transition to Metaphor Whether literal or metaphorical, the brickbat remains a

Over time, the physical act of "hurling brickbats" transitioned into the realm of rhetoric. Just as a physical brickbat was intended to strike an opponent, a verbal brickbat is intended to wound a person's reputation or ego. Common contemporary uses include: One of the most famous literal uses of

: Candidates often "hurl brickbats" at one another during heated debates.

: A poorly received play or movie might be greeted with "brickbats" from critics.