Words & TermsPolitics and public life
barbecue stopper
An issue so compelling or contentious that it dominates informal public conversation.
In a sentence
Housing costs became the barbecue stopper of the campaign.
Where it came from
Prime minister John Howard introduced barbecue stopper in 2001 for an issue important enough to dominate informal conversation. It quickly broadened beyond politics.
- First recorded
- 2001
- Initial era
- 2000–today
- Where used
- Australia-wide