Sorry but this is really bugging me. So many times when someone says that Rhydian should have won, someone will talk about sour grapes. It leads me to think that they don't actually know what it means.

It does not mean that someone is sour because they lost. It means that they are pretending that the prize was not worth winning,, i.e. "the grapes are sour".

The accusation does make sense if you say that when we say that It's a good job that Rhydian isn't tied to releasing the winners song. I would disagree (as I ain't pretending re the single and there were threads saying that Rhydian ould be better off not winning when many thought that it was in the bag)but nevertheless at least the accusation would be logical in those terms.

Saying that fans who are upset about the voting and want it investigated is a case of sour grapes makes no sence at all.

So if you are going to critisise at least get it right

Or do they mean the grapes are sour for the poster, as they got Leon as winner instead of their Fave.

So anyway, Leon won!

But that isn't what the fable as about. The fox couldn't get the grapes so he made out he didn't want them and made out that they were sour. So the prize is sour not the winner loser or any commentator.

yea it really is quite funny when you give it a moments thought.

Okay I see your point, but I can see where others are coming from.

Very true - it would be a better example of sour grapes if Rhydian fans were to say they never wanted him to win anyway as he will do better without it (which he might)

Yes and I'm bumping this up. The "sour grapes" line is still being used out of context. I'm not bitter about Leon's win. I am disapponted and shocked but even if I was bitter it wouldn't be sour grapes.

Rhydian doesn't have a case of sour grapes either as he has said that he is disappointed.

The textbook definition of sour grapes is

to denigrate and feign disdain for that which one could not attain

There has certainly been a lot of denigrating and feigning disdain for Leon on this forum over the last week!

not by anyone that wished to attain Leon!!!!


Leon was not the prize!!!

it's obvious.. leon has the prize.. that rhydian wanted to attain

yes but as Rhydian is not pretending that he didn't want it and we are not pretending we didn't want it for him, it isn't sour grapes!

It is about feigning distain for what one could not attain. It doesn't relate to whoever did attain it.

i actually had some sour grapes earlier they hurt my belly

LOL - that at least fits the meaning better

I agree that a number of Rhydian fans on this forum might not be sour - but they certainly are BITTER!

Well call us bitter if you wish. Even call us sour if you wish. However saying that we have a case of sour grapes doesn't make sence.

Rhydian Runner-up and his fans crying over spilled milk isn't going to change the fact that he came 2nd.
A loser by any other name is still a loser.

But at least your insult is literate!

Rhydian and his fans crying over spilt milk is by definition not sour grapes!

Are we not being overly pedantic here? Should every thread where either side (for that is what it has become) have used "sour grapes" be revised and re-edited to ensure the correct version of "sour grapes" has been used, or be re-written?

I also have to wonder why it took thousands of posts before this "error" was suddenly discovered? MartyM8 used a description which has been my understanding of the meaning, as well as everyone that has posted up until now.

Just out of interest, if someone believes that those complaining are refusing to accept the result, because they think the best man did not win and do not accept the concept of a free vote, then what expression should be used?

Actually, I'm a bit of a Rhydian fan. I like his voice, but not many of his performances/songs.

I preferred Andy and Leon in XFactor - good light entertainment for a Saturday night, plus they both have that something special and are both very easy on the eye.

Quotes and phrases have meanings. Why not stick to them? This is from Aesops fables and is about the fox not being able to get the frapes and saying he didn't want them as they were sour. The grapes, not the fox and not anyone who got the grapes.

MartyMB posted the correst description of its meaning but that is not the way he (she) then used it nor the way it has been used on the forum.

"The textbook definition of sour grapes is

to denigrate and feign disdain for that which one could not attain"

NOT to denegrate the person who did attain it *which is how MartyMB used it despite posting the correct meaning.


I started the thread days ago and bumped it up because it is still being used. It was one of the most common insults. It is anooying to be insulted but even more annoying if the insult doesn't make sence.
There is a difference between correcting old posts and ceaseing making new errors.

As to the rest of your question, in that scenario the accusation can be anything from bad loser to them being sour but "grapes" have sod all to do with it

Going way off topic, but what did you see in Andy, I'm not just having a dig. I kept thinking that he had something to offer but I never got to see it.

He seems to give off an aura of vulnerability, imo. I love his voice and performances, plus he's good to watch on stage. He really shouldn't have gone so early, imo. I loved his last performance.

Quote - to denigrate and feign disdain for that which one could not attain

Rhydian has been very gentlemanly in his acceptance of the outcome. He has not said that he was glad to come second. Therefore he cannot possibly come into this description.

So, to go back to my original point. Based on the above quote many comments are met by the first point. (e.g. encouraging people to complain to OFGEM, to encourage people to contact the press, to make nasty remarks about Leon etc) However if they have not also said that it was best for Rhydian not to win it does not meet the full criteria. If, based on the meaning of the original fable, you say that "sour grapes" is incorrect, then what should be used instead?

I believe it is correct to use 'sour grapes' as this can also mean 'sore loser'.