|
Reader question: Please explain this sentence, “stir the pot” in particular: Too many times people have come here to stir the pot when it doesn’t need it. My comments: In other words, many people are here for fun and fanfare. They see a large gathering in a public square, for example, and they swarm in to see what’s going on. In the crowd, some people are actually protesting against something, cruelty against animals, for instance. But most people are just there looking on. They’ve nothing of their own to protest against or for. They may not share the sentiments of the demonstrators. But they like to be there – to stir the pot, as the speaker says. If you cook your own meals, of course, you’ll have no problem understanding the concept of stirring the pot. You stir the pot to mix up ingredients evenly and to bring grains or meats lying at the bottom of the pot to the surface. And in the process, you disturb the whole pot and turn an otherwise clean pot of water into a messy mishmash. Hence, metaphorically, people stir the political pot in order to disturb the peace, raise disputes and cause unrest. That sounds negative. Sorry about that. Let me put it in a good way. People can also stir the political pot by bringing hidden issues to the surface and thereby effect change. In our example, the tone of the speaker may suggest he/she might be a member of the establishment, i.e. people who prefers the status quo. | 
