Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry. A person, institution, belief system, etc. which, for no reason other than the demands of established social etiquette or popular opinion, should be accorded respect or reverence, and not touched, handled or examined too closely.
WordNet
n. a person unreasonably held to be immune to criticism
Wikipedia
Sacred Cow is a 1996 album by Geggy Tah. It features "Whoever You Are", a #16 hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart that was later used in a Mercedes-Benz commercial in 2001.
Sacred cow may refer to:
- Sacred cow (idiom), something considered (perhaps unreasonably) immune from question or criticism
- Holy cow (expression), a variant idiom
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Cattle in religion, object of reverence, including:
- Sacred bull, including ancient religions
- Bull of Heaven in Sumerian mythology
- Auðumbla & Gavaevodata, the primeval cows of Norse & Zoroastrian mythology
- Tauroctony, the ritual bull-slaying of Mithraism
- Red heifer, a sacred sacrifice in Judaism
- Apis, the Egyptian sacred bull
Sacred cow is an idiom, a figurative reference to sacred cows in some religions. This idiom is thought to originate in American English, although similar or even identical idioms occur in many other languages.
The idiom is based on the popular understanding of the elevated place of cows in Hinduism and appears to have emerged in America in the late 19th century. A literal sacred cow or sacred bull is an actual cow or bull that is treated with sincere respect. A figurative sacred cow is a figure of speech for something considered immune from question or criticism, especially unreasonably so.
"Sacred Cow" is the third episode of the first season of the animated television series Bob's Burgers. "Sacred Cow" originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 23, 2011.
The episode was written by Nora Smith and directed by Jennifer Coyle. According to Nielsen ratings, it was viewed in 4.81 million viewers in its original airing. The episode featured guest performances by Todd Barry, Larry Murphy and Paul F. Tompkins.
Usage examples of "sacred cow".
Behind it was the sacred cow of the Lady and its calf, the cow tethered to the frame of the wagon by a rope that led to its halter.
So there you have the sky goddess as a Sacred Cow, two feet in the south and two feet in the north -- a rectangular idea, so to speak.
Louisa, Louisa, tell us how to raise revenue, cut costs, milk the gringos' sacred cow!
Corney Hollingshead romped all over England and France and Germany, a colossal pain to the authorities who were afraid to touch the sacred cow, Whittsett Press and Global Alliance.