Persistently talking about something in a tedious or repetitive manner. Continuing to dwell on a topic beyond what others find reasonable.
From the musical instrument 'harp', with the metaphorical sense developing from the repetitive nature of plucking harp strings. The negative connotation emerged because constant repetition, like persistent harp playing, can become annoying.
The phrase 'harping on' creates an interesting contradiction—while harp music is generally considered beautiful and soothing, the repetitive plucking of strings becomes the metaphor for annoying persistence! This reflects how even pleasant things can become irritating when overdone.
Harping (persistent complaining) often appears in literature paired with stereotypes of nagging women ('harping wives'). The gendered slur conflates women's speech with annoyance, trivializing legitimate grievances.
Use 'harping on' for anyone repeating a point, but be aware the phrase carries gendered baggage. Consider alternatives like 'emphasizing repeatedly' or 'returning to' when appropriate.
["emphasizing repeatedly","returning to the point","pressing on"]
Women's persistent advocacy for rights and justice has been dismissed as 'harping' or 'nagging'—language used to delegitimize their voices and discourage continued speech.
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