Iceberg

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Iceberg

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

ICE-berg  /ˈaɪsbɜːɡ/

Definition

A large mass of ice that has broken off a glacier or ice shelf and is floating in the sea, with most of its mass below the surface; figuratively, a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or phenomenon.

Plain meaning

An iceberg is a huge chunk of ice floating in the sea, with only about ten percent visible above the waterline. The phrase tip of the iceberg means what is visible is only a small part of something much larger. An iceberg lettuce is a variety of crisp round lettuce. Iceberg order in finance is a large order broken into smaller visible portions.

Register

Neutral in physical and scientific contexts; widely used figuratively. Tip of the iceberg is so common as to be a cliché in journalism and political discourse. Iceberg lettuce, iceberg order (finance), and iceberg table are specific technical uses.