Poster child
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The phrase poster child originally referred to a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters to raise money for charitable purposes; "she was the poster child for muscular dystrophy".
However, the term is usually used metaphorically, meaning a shining example or model of its type.
See also: embodiment, epitome and archetype.
Examples
- Ryan White was considered a poster child for societal acceptance of AIDS, after he contracted the disease from a blood transfusion and was expelled from his school.
- An example of its metaphorical use by George Voinovich: "It is my opinion that John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be". [1] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4542917.stm)