silly season
A period, usually during the summertime, when news media tend to place increased emphasis on reporting light-hearted, offbeat, or bizarre stories.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The news is full of strange stories during the silly season.”
“The silly season brings many funny videos to the evening news.”
“Reporters enjoy the silly season because they can write about light topics.”
“Journalists often struggle to find serious topics during the silly season, so they report on odd animal sightings instead.”
“Local newspapers usually print stories about giant vegetables or haunted houses once the silly season begins in August.”
“You know it is the silly season when every website starts posting lists of the world's most talented pets.”
“Radio hosts often interview people with bizarre hobbies to fill airtime while the government is on holiday during the silly season.”
“As political activity wanes during the summer months, the media inevitably descends into the silly season, prioritizing trivial human-interest pieces over substantive policy debates.”
first recorded 19th c. disputed origin
Possibly from an article in the 13 July 1861 edition of the London weekly newspaper The Saturday Review (see quotation).
- 01
close season
A situation or period in which some activity is forbidden or discontinued.
- 02
gooseberry season
A period, usually during the summertime, when news media tend to place increased emphasis on reporting light-hearted, offbeat, or bizarre stories.
- 03
open season
A situation or period in which some activity is routinely carried on.
- 04
play silly buggers
To act in a stupid or reckless manner.
- 05
silly me
An expression used to convey mild self-deprecation or to acknowledge a mistake or oversight.
- 06
silly money
A ridiculously large (or, less commonly, small) sum of money.
Last updated August 10, 2026