Episode 241: Black Sheep

This week Shauna and Dan discover why someone would be the black sheep of a family. Warning: Dan knows absolutely nothing about sheep. And it shows.

Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 241: Black Sheep of the Family
Record Date: July 19, 2024
Air Date: July 24, 2024

Intro

Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.

I’m Dan Pugh

Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.

Opening Hook
I have a friend who just doesn’t fit in with the rest of her family. She occasionally feels she’s disappointing her parents by not following the typical path in her life. She calls herself the black sheep of the family.

Meaning

The phrase "black sheep” or “black sheep of the family” means that a  person is an outcast, has been rejected, is an embarrassment, or is simply different in some way.

If we think about this in the context of Western culture, sheep were typically white and a black sheep would stand out. It would be considered unusual or different. That gives a visual metaphor to the concept of a person who stands out.


According to Oxford English Dictionary, “black sheep” is,

Quote
A disreputable or unsatisfactory member (of a family, etc.); a bad character. Frequently in the black sheep of the family (also flock).
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/black-sheep_n?tab=meaning_and_use#205366204

Black sheep - the animals - show up in print to a limited degree prior to the figurative use of the phrase.

1634

One prominent example is a mention in Pliny the Elder’s work The Natural Historie of the World, The Second Tombe. This example comes from the English translation by Philemon Holland from 1634. In this work, Pliny describes the cure or treatment for a type of fever-related illness.

Quote
The Crocodiles heart wrapped within a lock of wool which grew vpon a black sheep, & hath no other color med led therewith, so that the said sheep were the first lambe that the dam yeaned, is said to drive away quartane agues.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Historie_of_the_World/VjYptGNx2gcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22black+sheep%22&pg=PA315&printsec=frontcover

I once read a review of Pliny’s Natural History that described the work as one of uneven accuracy. And this excerpt brings that to mind. This odd idea that rare or mysterious creatures carry unique healing components is one that persists today. However, rarity or unusualness are not determining factors of an animal’s usefulness in medical treatments.

However, this does tell us the category in which a black sheep was placed at the time - they were considered something unusual or even exotic.

1640

Oxford English Dictionary has the figurative usage appearing in print in 1640. In reference to a person, this is the earliest attestation I was able to confirm. The phrase is used to its fullest extent in The Sincere Convert by Thomas Shepard, published in 1640.

Quote
Cast out all the prophane people among us as Drunkards, Swearers, Whores, Lyers, which the Scripture brands for black sheep, and condemns them in an hundred places.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_sincere_convert_discovering_the_smal/BvVmAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/black-sheep_n?tab=meaning_and_use#205366204

There are some who may claim that the term black sheep comes from the  bible. However, there are not an overwhelming number of direct references to black sheep. Some recent versions of the bible have used the term in their re-writings but the term was not used much in the original texts.

There is one story in which Jacob works to make a deal with his father-in-law. He says that he will go through the flock and take any speckled and spotted sheep and black lambs, and the same of  the goats, to serve as his wages. This way, his father-in-law could easily review Jacob’s flock and if there were any white sheep, he could consider those to be stolen. Jacob was only using it as a part of the agreement he was trying to make.

There are a number of stories in the bible with characters that we could easily classify as black sheep. However, the term is not used.

In fact, I had trouble finding texts alluding to black sheep - the animals - being tied to anything overtly negative prior to Thomas Shepard’s work.

1670

Before long, the phrase made it into reference texts including A Collection of English Proverbs by John Ray and John Hayes, published in 1670. The work did not provide context for this particular phrase including only the following for the entry,

Quote
To ‘know’ one from a black sheep.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Collection_of_English_Proverbs/NhUsAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22black+sheep%22&pg=PA183&printsec=frontcover

I enjoyed the other entries around this one, so we’re going to read a few more of them during the bonus which available to all patrons every Friday at patreon.com/Bunnytrailspod.

The pattern of “to know one from a black sheep” was common around this timeframe. To know one from something… generally meant being able to tell the person was not that type of person.

1714

This format of the phrase is found in the 1714 work by Alexander Smith and William Davis titled The History of the Lives of the Most Noted Highwaymen, Foot-pads, Shop-Lists and Cheats of Both Sexes.

Quote
These scaring Words putting the Gentleman into a Pannick Fear, he gave One-hundred and twenty Guineas to Whitney, who then taking his leave of the robb'd Person, he desir'd him to acquaint the other Gentleman, whenever he saw him, that I was going to Say the same to you, would never save his Bacon again; for he should know him from a Black Sheep another time.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_History_of_the_Lives_of_the_Most_Not/LYBi--a0sUwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=he+is+a+black+sheep&pg=PA38&printsec=frontcover

Yes, this does mean the same as save one’s bacon that we use today. More on that likely in another episode.

There is a popular children’s song that mentions black sheep. The Online Etymology Dictionary gives us a little info about this song along with a comment on the phrase.

1776

Quote
… one black sheep in a flock is said to be considered good luck by shepherds in Sussex, Somerset, Kent, and Derbyshire. The first known publication of Baa Baa Black Sheep nursery rhyme is in "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book" (c. 1744).
End quote
https://www.etymonline.com/word/black%20sheep


1776

A New Dictionary English and French: and French and English by Lewis Chambaud and J.B. Roninet, published in 1776, included the term black sheep along with another phrase.

Quote
*Il est marqué (il a fait quelque faute qui a éclaté) He is a black sheep. Il est né marqué (fe dit d'un enfant qui en naissant a apporté quelque signe) He is marked; He was born with a mark.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_NEW_DICTIONARY_ENGLISH_AND_FRENCH_AND/p_lAyy7nUQ0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22he+is+a+black+sheep%22&pg=PA446&printsec=frontcover

This was interesting to me as it implies something very permanent and inescapable whereas many of the other references discuss behavior or character-based judgements.

1820

In the August 1, 1820 edition of the Edwardsville Spectator, out of Edwardsville, Illinois, the phrase is used along with flock.

Quote
If Illinois is to be dubbed with the honorable appellation of “the black sheep of the flock” for this attempt, what is to become of the respectable and populous free states of Ohio and Indiana, which were almost unanimously in favor of it?
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015374/1820-08-01/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1800&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=black+flock+sheep&proxdistance=5&date2=1825&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=black+sheep+of+the+flock&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

This political article was written with a rather sarcastic air.  

1916

The phrase also made to the stage in the show titled The Black Sheep of the Family. Here is the description shared in the November 25, 1916 edition of The Ogden Standard, out of Ogden City, Utah.

Quote
A Red Feature, starring Jack Holt and Francelia Billington. Story of a dissipated youth who pulls his family and friends down to destruction.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85058396/1916-11-25/ed-1/seq-15/#date1=1915&index=13&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=BLACK+Black+Family+FAMILY+Sheep+SHEEP&proxdistance=5&date2=1930&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=black+sheep+of+the+family&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

I’m not sure why, but that last bit actually surprised me… it has me wondering if the tale ends with everyone being actually brought to destruction or if there is some sort of redemption for the characters.

Over time, the phrase was used to comment on individuals who were almost considered evil all the way to those who were just - the odd one in the family. Today, it is used in varying degrees as well.

Alright, we have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.

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Modern Uses

1976

The first modern-ish item is a 1976 translation by Donald Adamson of The Human Comedy by Honore de Balzac. Adamson’s translation was published with the title The Black Sheep. Here is a synopsis from the publisher.

Quote
His elegantly-crafted tale of sibling rivalry, Honoré de Balzac's The Black Sheep is translated from the French with an introduction by Donald Adamson in Penguin Classics. Philippe and Joseph Bridau are two extremely different brothers. The elder, Philippe, is a superficially heroic soldier and adored by their mother Agathe. He is nonetheless a bitter figure, secretly gambling away her savings after a brief but glorious career as Napoleon's aide-de-camp at the battle of Montereau. His younger brother Joseph, meanwhile, is fundamentally virtuous - but their mother is blinded to his kindness by her disapproval of his life as an artist. Foolish and prejudiced, Agathe lives on unaware that she is being cynically manipulated by her own favourite child - but will she ever discover which of her sons is truly the black sheep of the family? A dazzling depiction of the power of money and the cruelty of life in nineteenth-century France, The Black Sheep is a compelling exploration of the nature of deceit. Donald Adamson's translation captures the radical modernity of Balzac's style, while his introduction places The Black Sheep in its context as one of the great novels of Balzac's renowned Comédie humaine.
End quote
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Sheep-Human-Comedy/dp/0140442375

 It sounds like it has plenty of drama mixed with social commentary - which makes sense for de Balzac.


1996, 2006

Black Sheep has been used as the title of a few shows as we’ve already found. It was the title given to a Chris Farley and David Spade movie in 1996 which may or may not have aged very well. But we’re actually going to take a look at a movie that came out in 2006.

Black Sheep is a 2006 horror comedy. Here is an overview from Rotten Tomatoes.

Quote
Sheep-fearing Henry (Nathan Meister) returns to his brother's (Peter Feeney) New Zealand farm, hoping his sibling will buy out his share of the property. However, what he finds are genetically altered sheep that prey on humans and turn their victims into undead, woolly killers. Shear madness ensues as Henry, an animal-rights activist (Danielle Mason) and a farmhand (Tammy Davis) set out to stop the rampaging animals.
End quote
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_sheep

It sounds truly absurd. I don’t think this one is my style but I did enjoy finding something so random.


2010, 2021

One of the first items that popped up when searching black sheep is the song by Metric featuring Brie Larson. from the film Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World which came out in 2021 (2010 for the movie, 2021 re-release of the song). Here is some info about the show.

Quote
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World stars Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kieran Culkin. Cera’s title character, smitten by Ramona Flowers (Winstead), must battle her seven evil exes who are out to kill him. Interwoven into the plot is a plethora of fictitious music groups acting out the performances of original compositions by real recording artists. Under the direction of producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Paul McCartney, U2), Beck provided the music for Scott’s low-fi garage band Sex Bob-Omb, Canadian synth-rockers Metric did the same for The Clash at Demonhead (fronted by Brie Larson), and Broken Social Scene wrote and recorded for Crash and the Boys. In some cases, the finished songs incorporate actual vocal and instrumental contributions from the actors who appear in the film.

The entire process took two years of Godrich’s life, during which he essentially cast ultimate fantasy bands and got non-musician actors to learn their respective instruments with the aid of Chris Murphy from the band Sloan. The original soundtrack went to #2 on the Billboard soundtrack chart and includes songs by Frank Black, Beachwood Sparks, Black Lips, T. Rex, Blood Red Shoes, The Rolling Stones and The Bluetones.
End quote
https://youtu.be/1xcSDYy3Dl4?si=NhJK4UHYPxSRQfqO


2022

Black Sheep is also a song by the rock’n’roll band Dorothy which Rolling Stone says we should all get to know. Here are some of the lyrics from the song.

Quote
Call me an outcast call me a freak
Watch those bullets ricochet straight off of me
Cause I belong where right is wrong
No lost cause like the good book say
Don’t give a damn what people think
I march along to a different song
Whoa I feel it deep in my bones
I was born to break every curse every chain
So I’m singing
Hail hail the black sheep
We are blood we are family
End quote
https://youtu.be/5zBUlhcRyWw?si=5dYukviPpnZCADMh

I liked the feel of this song. They’ve got sort of a gritty sound.


2023

There has been a shift in the usage of the phrase in recent years. The following is from an article posted on Psychology Today, from August 2023, titled How to Deal With Being the Black Sheep of the Family: Firm up your boundaries and remember you’re not to blame.

Quote
Key points
The black sheep gets their name from being an outlier from the family unit, the one who is different.
While not always the case, the black sheep is often the one who is blamed for any dysfunction.
It is easier to blame someone for speaking out than to look at the dysfunction as a whole.
End quote
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-bruises/202304/are-you-the-family-black-sheep-heres-how-to-deal

Essentially, the black sheep is identified as the scapegoat in a family system. I’m sure this is true in some situations and it’s good that those who are put into this difficult spot have some advice on dealing with it.


Current

There are hundreds of items for sale by creators on Etsy when searching for black sheep. One that I liked in particular is a handmade Linocut Print by PD Murray Art. Linocut is a variant of woodcut printing in which a sheet of linoleum is used as the surface for the relief image to be cut into. The printing is made from that. The piece says black sheep in bold lettering and below that is a sheep playing an electric guitar. It’s edgy but cute somehow and I really like it.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/1153802177/black-sheep-handmade-linocut-print?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=black+sheep&ref=sc_gallery-1-14&frs=1&search_preloaded_img=1&plkey=dac47f26d26798b344939a31b1f3401b9ede2479%3A1153802177


Wrap up:
Used in a kinder fashion, I think the term black sheep can offer a sort of freedom. I’ve always felt a little like I didn’t quite fit with everyone else - in my family, at school, at work. Accepting and embracing the fact that I’m just different has allowed me to forgive myself for things that are out of my control or just not worth focusing on. Our differences are beautiful. We should all stop worrying about being the black sheep or the speckled sheep and just focus on doing what is helpful and good.

Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com

Dan:

It’s patron poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons which diets they had tried from the list of the top science-backed diets, 2024 edition from US News and World Report.
https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-diets-overall

Our listeners responded that they’ve tried the Mediterranean Diet and the Flexitarian Diet.

Here’s a definition of those two from the Report:

Quote
The Mediterranean diet is the No. 1 Best Diet Overall. It’s also a top-rated diet for those looking for a heart-healthy diet, a diabetes-friendly diet or to promote bone and joint health. But don’t confuse Americanized Mediterranean menus – which often feature too much refined pasta, beef and cheese – with healthy eating.

With a flexitarian diet, also known as a semi-vegetarian diet, you don't have to completely eliminate meat to reap the health benefits associated with vegetarianism. Instead, you can be a vegetarian most of the time, but still enjoy a burger or steak on special occasions.
End Quote

Other diets on the list include:

DASH Diet
MIND (combines Mediterranean and DASH)
Mayo Clinic Diet
WeightWatchers
Volumetrics Diet
Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet
TLC Diet
Vegan Diet


Shauna
I’ve been on a few diets but mostly for medical reasons - like food allergies - and I think that gives me a different view of the term compared with how the word diet is often used. However, I did try the Mediterranean diet and I really liked it. The food was delicious and I did feel good. Generally, if I’m eating plenty of vegetables and avoiding processed stuff as well as red meat, I have more energy and my mind seems a little clearer. I’m assuming that’s because it’s healthier than eating candy and banana bread.

Dan:
I've never really found a special diet that works for me. But I do feel better when I avoid foods with extra sugar and heavily processed foods. Beyond that, there are two other factors for me that matter the most with food. First, my body feels best when I have a big breakfast, a smaller lunch, and an even smaller dinner. I don’t know why it works that way, but when I’ve traveled to places where that was the norm, my body seemed to love it. And when I do it at home, I always feel better throughout the day. The second thing for me is making meals a social experience. Cooking and eating with people I like really makes the meal an enjoyable one, which I think helps with my mental hygiene. Though I suppose the social aspect is a big part of the Mediterranean diet.

As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,

Together:
Words belong to their users.