What does the phrase "a modest proposal" mean?

Answer 1

To the best of my memory, it's a reference to the title of a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift (he of Gulliver's Travels fame). Bear in mind that this answer is intolerable unless you are aware that he was being very, very satirical ... because his 'modest proposal' was a solution to the Irish potato famine, and his suggestion was that they cook and eat their children.

The Irish potato famine happened in the middle of the 19th century. The potato was the staple crop and it became diseased, leading to repeated crop failures and starvation. Much Irish land was owned by English absentee landlords, who really couldn't give a toss about the causes but proceeded to turn the tenants off their land when the rents weren't paid - which of course the tenants couldn't do because they weren't making enough to feed themselves, let alone pay rent to the English. (This is one reason underlying the Irish problems even today - understandably). So the Irish farmers tended to do one of two things: (i) emigrate to America if at all possible, or (ii) die of starvation. Swift's essay, which is written with biting anger, was intended to draw the attention of the English to the absolute desperation of the Irish.

So when someone uses the phrase 'a modest proposal' in a political or literary context, they're usually flagging the fact that what follows is intended as angry but subtle satire.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

This is from the Wikipedia:

A Modest Proposal: For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick, commonly referred to as A Modest Proposal, is a satirical pamphlet written by Jonathan Swift in 1729. The work has now become one of the epitomes of satire, and the modern phrase "A modest proposal" derives from the work.

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Answer 3

A simple suggestion. If you are referring to the essay A Modest Proposal, that has a different meaning entirely.

Answer 4

There was a famous essay by I forget whom, called "A Modest Proposal". It favored the idea that English people should eat Irish babies.

Answer 5

What Does Modest Proposal Mean

Answer 6

Not going over the top

Answer 7

Means its not a brilliant idea...but a very good one worth considering.........good luck

Answer 8

it means I'm only going to stand for so much BS, then I'm outta here :D