2

I've heard it many times. I searched the web and dictionary and found two meanings.

An official engaged in international negotiations (this is clear to me).
A person who deals tactfully with others (unclear).

We often say Ah! Come on...stop being a diplomat. Does it mean that we want the other person to be clear and straightforward (but then it's a bit negative) without playing with words? Does this word, by any means, refer to cunningness?

Improve this question
2
  • 7
    1. It is possible to use any word negatively. That doesn't make it inherently negative. "Stop being a diplomat" means "Stop being tactful and say what you really mean" 2. "Often" is too strong-Google returns me just 24 hits, half of which are literal. 3. The noun is cunning, not cunningness.
    – StoneyB on hiatus
    Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 13:22
  • 1
    It's only a "guesstimate", but Google thinks it's got about 625,000 results for "There's no need to be diplomatic" - which is certainly what I'm used to, rather than OP's version.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 14:42

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
8

No. Being a diplomat is always neutral in American or British English, and is normally used in the literal sense that someone works as a foreign emissary on official business.

In the figurative sense, we use "being diplomatic" rather than "being a diplomat". This is used to indicate that a person is being considerate of the views of others and deals with them tactfully (which is normally a compliment, and hence used positively).

Mr Smith was very diplomatic during the meeting with union leaders.

Improve this answer
1
  • I would add that for some groups "being political" has a similar meaning to being diplomatic, but with a more negative connotation, suggesting insincerity
    – TBridges42
    Commented Jul 29, 2015 at 17:47
1

In US English, if you hear someone say, "Stop being a diplomat!", they are telling you to quit beating around the bush or putting a positive spin on something, and say what you mean in a straightforward way, even though it may be negative.

Being "diplomatic" or "a diplomat" doesn't really refer to "cunningness", but rather to putting things in a positive light, or not assigning blame, or attempting to save face for all involved.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .