Selma
noun/ˈsɛlmə/
Etymology Taken to use in the 19th century when similar-sounding names, Elma, Thelma, Alma, Wilma, etc. were in vogue. Perhaps a shortening of Anselma, or from the name of a place in the James Macpherson's Ossian cycle of epic poems, itself from Scottish Gaelic sealladh + math (“good vision”). In some cases perhaps borrowed from Turkish Selma, from Arabic سَلْمَى (salmā).
1
Government, Politics US, Figuratively A confrontation where authorities brutally repress those wanting civil rights, similar to Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama.
- Eventually, our place and response may be viewed as a historic turning point, another Selma for the nation and world.2020, Dane Smith, Star Tribune (Minneapolis), "Toward a better patriotism", 3 July 2020
- Shelby County has become the new Selma.2015, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Workers World, "Black and Brown unity in Alabama", 24 June 2015
2 more examples
- "I don't know how many Selmas you have in your memory," she said. "I have a lot in mine."1986, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka Weekend, p.11, Friday 17 January 1986
- How Many Selmas? Still another city in the south Is learning the hard way that the Negro will settle for nothing less than first class citizenship.1965, The Fresno Bee, p.60, Wednesday 21 July 1965:
- Coordinate terms
- Bloody Sunday