a modest proposal

A Modest Proposal is when somebody suggests that eating babies might not be such a bad idea. This is taken from the satirical book of the same name written by Jonathan Swift in 1729. He frankly suggested that poor people ought to sell their children as food to the upper class in order to stimulate the economy and bring Ireland out of a sort of depression. Here's an excerpt: "A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragoust."

Jane- "That infant child looks delicious. I think we should eat him."

John- "That sounds like a modest proposal to me."

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Modest Proposal

/n/ suggestion made in satire, from the famous original by Jonathan Swift, in which he suggested solving the Irish potato famine by eating babies. See also straw man

A modest proposal: our new school dress policy should require all students to go entirely without clothes or jewelry, to reduce rampant comsumerism and objectionable messages on T-Shirts.

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Modest Proposal

Weird, sickening, distasteful. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
Also: One who eats babies.
From Johnathon Swift's satire, A Modest Proposal, which outlined reasons for why we should eat babies.

That ugly girl's display picture is such a modest proposal.

Look Dude, the principal is trying to dance! That's so modest proposal!

I named my hamster Modest Proposal after she got knocked up by a gerbil and ate half of the offspring.

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