Belabour Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฃ๏ธ
belabour
[bษชหleษชbษr ]
Definition
discuss thoroughly
To belabour something means to explain or discuss it in excessive detail or for an unnecessarily long time. This term can imply that the speaker is being repetitive and ineffective in their communication. Often, it suggests that the original point has already been made convincingly, and further exposition is neither needed nor helpful.
Synonyms
drone on, elaborate, harp on, overemphasize, repeat.
Examples of usage
- He tends to belabour his main arguments during meetings.
- Stop belabouring the point; we understand your perspective.
- In her lecture, she belaboured the differences between the two theories.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Communication
- In conversations, repeating points can make the speaker seem less confident in their ideas.
- Many effective communicators advise against excessive elaboration to keep the audience engaged and attentive.
Literature
- Authors occasionally use the technique of belabouring a point for comedic effect or to highlight a character's stubbornness.
- In academic writing, belabouring a point can lead to unclear arguments and reader fatigue.
Psychology
- Over-explaining can stem from anxiety, where speakers feel the need to validate their points.
- Listeners may experience frustration or decreased interest if topics are belaboured.
Pop Culture
- In satirical shows, characters often belabour absurd points to mimic real-life conversations that have dragged on too long.
- Comedians frequently exaggerate the concept of belabouring for humorous effect, poking fun at how people sometimes donโt know when to stop talking.
Origin of 'belabour'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Middle English, combining 'be-', meaning all around or thoroughly, and 'labour', which means work.
- In its earliest forms, it was used to convey the idea of working hard at something, often suggesting an excessive effort.
The word 'belabour' originates from the combination of the prefix 'be-' and the word 'labour'. The prefix 'be-' typically intensifies the meaning of the verb to which it is attached. In this case, 'labour' comes from the Old French 'laborer', which means 'to work', and has roots traced back to Latin 'labor', meaning 'work, toil, or effort'. The phrase began to take on the connotation of excessive effort or laboriousness in discussions around the late 19th century. It is often used in contexts where redundancy and unnecessary detail in communication are critiqued, especially in debates, academic discussions, or presentations. Thus, 'belabour' emphasizes not just the action of discussing laboriously, but also the annoyance that comes with it.