Definition

Noun: 1. A male poster child; a person, especially a boy or young man, who is a prominent or idealized representative of a cause, campaign, or product: The term originates from the literal use of a boy's image on promotional posters. It refers to a male who is used as a symbol or public face for something, often embodying its desired qualities or characteristics. 2. A person who exemplifies or typifies a particular quality, role, or stereotype: This usage can be literal or figurative, and may carry positive or negative connotations depending on context.

Usage and Examples

• As a literal or symbolic representative:

  • He became the poster boy for the charity's campaign to end childhood hunger.
  • The young athlete is the poster boy for the new sports drink brand.

• As someone who typifies a characteristic (often figurative):

  • With his reckless investments, he became the poster boy for financial irresponsibility.
  • The senator is seen as the poster boy for political corruption in this region.

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• The term can be used ironically or critically to highlight a negative example.
  • After the scandal, he was no longer the poster boy for ethical business practices.
• While "poster boy" is gendered, the concept is often discussed more broadly. The neutral or female-equivalent term is "poster child."
• The phrase implies a level of visibility and recognition, suggesting the person's image is central to the promotion of an idea.

Variants and Related Words

• Poster child (n): The more general, often gender-neutral term for a person who is a representative symbol. A "poster boy" is a type of poster child.
  • She was the poster child for the revolution.
• Figurehead (n): A leader in name only, or a person who represents a group but may not have real power. This is related but implies less active representation than "poster boy."
• Archetype (n): A very typical example of a certain person or thing. This is a broader, more abstract concept.

Synonyms

• Embodiment: A person or thing that represents an idea or quality.
• Symbol: A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process; a person who serves as a representative.
• Exemplar: A person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model.
• Face of [something]: The most prominent public representative.

Common Phrases and Idioms

• The poster boy for [something]: This is the standard idiomatic construction.
  • He's the poster boy for suburban dad fashion.
  • The company is the poster boy for successful tech startups.

Noun

1. a male poster child