ProverbWisdom
American origin1970
American origin1970The revolution will not be televised
Meaning: Authentic social change emerges from grassroots action, not passive consumption of media spectacles.
Origin: The title of a 1970 spoken-word poem by Gil Scott-Heron, first performed over conga and bongo drums on his live album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, and re-recorded with a full band on Pieces of a Man in 1971. The poem mocks advertising and television culture: real change, it says, will happen in the streets, not as entertainment.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Shinrin-yoku Immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest — soaking up its calm through all your s…
- Waldeinsamkeit The serene, faintly mystical feeling of being alone in the woods, at peace with nature.
- Meriggiare To take a quiet midday rest in a cool, shaded spot, escaping the fierce afternoon sun.
Keep exploring