Definition
A strategy of deliberately pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster to gain advantage, especially in politics or diplomacy.
Etymology
From 'brink' (Old English 'brinc,' meaning 'edge') plus 'manship' (from 'man' + ship, meaning 'skill or practice of'). Coined in the 1950s to describe Cold War nuclear strategy.
Kelly Says
This word was literally invented to describe the terrifying Cold War strategy where the US and USSR would push nuclear threats right to the edge, betting the other side would back down first—it's a game of chicken with human extinction!
Translations
AMአማርኛ
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
ARالعربية
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
BNবাংলা
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
CACatalà
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
CSČeština
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
DADansk
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
DEDeutsch
Kopf-an-Kopf-Politik
kɔpf an kɔpf pɔlɪtɪk
ELΕλληνικά
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
ESEspañol
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
FAفارسی
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
FISuomi
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
FRFrançais
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
GUGU
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
HAHA
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
HEעברית
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
HIहिन्दी
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
HUMagyar
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
IDBahasa Indonesia
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
IGIG
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
ITItaliano
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
KKKK
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
KMKM
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
KO한국어
위기 극복술
wi-gi geuk-bok-sul
MRMR
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
MSBahasa Melayu
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
MYမြန်မာ
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
NLNederlands
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
NONorsk
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
PAPA
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
PLPolski
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
PTPortuguês
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
RORomână
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
RUРусский
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
SVSvenska
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
SWKiswahili
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
TAதமிழ்
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
TEతెలుగు
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
THไทย
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
TLTL
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
TRTürkçe
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
UKУкраїнська
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
URاردو
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
VITiếng Việt
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
YOYO
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
ZH中文
brinkmanship
bɹɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
ZUZU
brinkmanship
brɪŋkˈmænʃɪp
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Coined in 1956, 'brinkmanship' uses the generic masculine form '-manship' rather than '-personship.' This follows the historical pattern where masculine terms were default professional language, even when describing neutral strategy concepts.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'brinkmanship' as-is; it is established terminology. When discussing the concept with diverse audiences, note that the practice is gender-neutral and performed by leaders of any gender.
Inclusive Alternatives
["brinksmanship (variant)","edge-walking (alternative concept)"]