Definition of the word goldfish bowl

The term "goldfish bowl" is a figurative expression used to describe a situation where someone is being treated like a goldfish in a transparent, small, and enclosed space, signifying confinement and lack of freedom. The phrase originated in the early 20th century when keeping pet goldfish in glass bowls became popular. These bowls were small, transparent, and enclosed, making them easy to observe from outside. Over time, the expression "goldfish bowl" came to represent any situation where a person is restricted and exposed to constant scrutiny, similar to the confined and exposed environment of a goldfish in its bowl.