Is a 'show stopper' bad... and other things

[EinsteinaGogo]

A thread about a thread (eeek!).

On a current thread, the OP is selling her house, and mentions there are one or two show stoppers about the property that are very clearly described in the details.

Therefore - any viewers who book an appointment, look around the house, then feedback that the show stopper is the reason they don't like it, are unreasonable.

The OPs home showstopper isn't stated, but it's clear that 'show stopper' is a negative .
Something like no parking, leasehold of 1 year, built on a train platform, about to be bulldozed by Christmas, etc.

To the OP - and me, and a handful of other posters - a show stopper is something negative - an obstacle hard to overcome. To the majority, it's a positive - something brilliant to make everyone gasp in awe.

What is a show stopper to you?

AND

Do you have any similar tales of using a phrase (any phrase) in a different way to its general meaning?

In theatre, a showstopper is generally a song, a big production number that garners significant applause in the middle of an act, thus halting the progress of the story (not that there's much plot in most big musicals ). It's not a term that's used all that much.

A show stop, on the other hand, is an occasion when the show is forced to stop mid-stream due to technical or other difficulties, and is to be avoided at all costs. Not least because stopping and restarting some big shows is akin to stopping and restarting the QE2 mid-Atlantic.

We use the term in projects at work, mainly towards the live date. A showstopper is a problem that’s cropped up, which, if not fixed, stops the whole thing going ahead.

A showstopper is an item/action/event which would cause amazement,awe etc. Def a positive slant.
As a PP said, a deal breaker would be the opposite.

I the context of the house, I would have thought, swimming pool and own woodland, or maybe a hot tub and bifold doors if you're an estate agent.

Corporate jargon may have chosen to use it with a different meaning, but it's easy enough to look up what it really means: a performance/scene that evokes so much applause from the audience that the show briefly pauses. It does not mean something crap that makes a show grind to a halt.

To me showstopper means positive. I've not heard it used in a negative.

It’s both and the dictionary defines it as such.

I had no idea that the business world used it as a negative. How odd.

Its origins are wholely positive. A part of the show where the audience's reaction is so immense that the show is temporarily halted.

Whilst it may sound negative, its not. Just like "bringing the house down" sounds bad if you take the words at face value, but of course its another theatrical positive.

It sounds like its been taken literally by people in a work context and now has a negative definition in a work context.

Perha

I thought it was a musical theatre sort of phrase , as in the 'show stopper' would be the big finale song and dance routine that would wow the audience and bring the audience to its feet! Definitely a positive thing in my book.

Positive.

@OnTheFencePaint

We use the term in projects at work, mainly towards the live date. A showstopper is a problem that’s cropped up, which, if not fixed, stops the whole thing going ahead.

Exactly this. Most of the time a large proportion of the issues that have been logged as showstoppers really aren't.

I’ve only really heard it in the corporate/legal/projects world and as a negative.

@BackforGood

Another who thinks it is something so positive, it's amazing.

To me, the phrase the OP of the other thread should have used in that context, was 'deal breaker'.

OTOH, it was fairly easy to work out what she meant, and not really confusing, as she did give examples........

Yes, I agree with this.

A Showstopper is a good thing ime. Best number in a show...outstanding “wow” moment.

Never heard it described any other way until that thread.

Accept there are two definitions but will never use it in the negative way as psychologically I cannot relate to it in a bad way.

A showstopper is a musical number that quite literally stops the show because it gets such an audience reaction. I’ve been in shows at the theatre when this happens! The performers have to stop because of applause/cheers/standing ovations. Sometimes they have to take a bow before they carry on with the show. Happens in ballet too, or in plays when a well known speech or moment is done well, or in a comedy.

It’s an amazing experience for all and definitely a positive..

^A showstopper is a musical number that quite literally stops the show because it gets such an audience reaction. I’ve been in shows at the theatre when this happens! The performers have to stop because of applause/cheers/standing ovations. Sometimes they have to take a bow before they carry on with the show. Happens in ballet too, or in plays when a well known speech or moment is done well, or in a comedy.

It’s an amazing experience for all and definitely a positive..^

EXACTLY THIS

(Professional MT Performer who has experienced this myself)

It's often used in my field as a hurdle that will stop progress - i.e. if we can't get shareholder agreement it's a showstopper.

I assume it's from the saying "The show must go on" and to have a showstopper is a disaster. (would be for me, I wouldn't be paid!)

It also the reason theatre IS so amazing - a collective experience! Not to derail but - when theatre is back that’s what I’m waiting for. Go!

A showstopper is something amazing - the show has to stop and wait while the audience applaud wildly.

A showstopper in a house might be a stunning attic master bedroom with gorgeous views, a huge, well-kept, sunny garden, a sauna, steamroom and pool, a gorgeous garden home office, a start of the art kitchen or bathroom.

I thought it was negative!

It's a bit like the word 'outstanding.'

I work in education and an assignment being outstanding can mean it's excellent, or it hasn't been done yet!

@OnTheFencePaint

We use the term in projects at work, mainly towards the live date. A showstopper is a problem that’s cropped up, which, if not fixed, stops the whole thing going ahead.

Exactly this for me. Definitely negative.

Theres no doubt of the original meaning - that it's something wonderful and breathtaking that is to be celebrated ss i brinhs people to their feet to applaud, but it sounds from this thread as though it's another term adopted in the business/IT world that has been used in a different context.
I have never seen or heard it used in the negative sense until that thread but it wasn't hard to work out what the OP meant.

A show stopper is a positive thing.

A show stopper is a bad thing. It literally stops a show from continuing - things like: Hamlet has a heart attack in the middle of Act 1; there's a power cut and the theatre lights go out. How could things which prevent progress be viewed as good?

I am also in IT. As pp have said a show stopper bug will prevent an application change from progressing through testing and send it right back to development or even to analysis.