What does the word 'hero' mean?

Bradley Wiggins is lucky enough to have a talent he enjoys and he's given us all a lot of pleasure and done well for this country but hero? No.
A hero is one who goes towards danger instead of running away from it - policemen and firemen are my heroes.

Greatnan This might be regarded by Jings as a sensitive subject. Last year she posted about David Walliams' swim along the Thames using the word hero. This sparked a conversation, rather like this one, about how this word is defined. Unfortunately, I posted a comment that inadvertently seriously upset Jingle and caused her to end her membership of Gransnet – fortunately only temporarily.

Quite a hero was working in my garden today..in all the hot sunshine.. lifting old and cracked paving and shovelling down the scalpings for the new slabs to go on!

I bet the Germans have got a word for different types of heroism,

I think it is just a question of everyone having their own definition of the word - there is no right or wrong, just a personal preference.

Butter...the voice of reason.

When I was walking this morning, I found myself thinking about the word 'hero' (thanks gn) - about how the word is used, and what it represents and came to the conclusion that I didn't really mind what the media decided was heroic or who was in fact a hero or heroine; rather, I felt that it was a very personal and deeply held opinion of someone or something that had made a positive and strong impact upon my life.

I did not intend this to be at least controversial, jingle, just interested to hear how other people would define the word 'hero'. Why is that nit-picking?

I made myself a promise as I wandered into our virtual chat room...avoid anything that may upset my inner contentment and enjoy that which gives me pleasure. Off to the poetry thread. After which, I shall take a look at the artwork that appeals to others and, if Nellie should pop in, I shall share a few light-hearted moments with her. Then there's a mountain of laundry to sort and iron. A warm welcome to any new members. Enjoy your day.

We're allowed to nitpick, jings, though Inknow it's not something you would ever stoop to

Is that enough winks?

Isn't it just one of those things people are always going to say when they are feeling on top of the world about something? Same with the word "heroic".

A bit of nit picking going on here I think.

Added to which he has risen above being left by his father when very young and [or so the S.O. tells me] has battled depression. But, best of all he delivered one of the best speeches I've ever heard. Strangely enough, hearing him speak reminded me very much of Grayson Perry; as if two people could be any more different .

Greatnan I don't know whether Bradley Wiggins qualifies as the greatest sportsman Britain has ever had, but with his sense of fair play, his extreme skill and hard work, plus his modesty, he makes a far better role model than any other sportsman I can think of – especially quite a few footballers.

HappyNanna Given that one man's terrorist is another man's guerilla fighter and that you have defined a hero as "someone who is willing to go to war for what they believe in and be willing to die in the process", I don't see how you can exclude terrorists. I would also suggest that heroes can be other than military figures.

Having said that sportswomen tend not to be referred to as heroes, I heard someone on the television describe Jessica Ennis in exactly that way this morning.

By definition 3 part 2 of the Shorter Oxford Dictionary – a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities – it would seem that Le Gentleman Wiggins qualifies.

Good morning,Bags! Yes, it is lazy journalism.
They are now describing Wiggins as the greatest sportsman Britain has ever had - really?

The simple explanation: "famous sporting person(ality)" is much longer to say/write than hero, so the media use hero.

Not me, crimson. They might be talented, hard-working, dedicated, - but any 'sacrifice' they make is for their own benefit, not that of other people.

But we've always referred to people who we admire because of their achievement at certain sports as 'sporting heroes'.

Of course - I'm not denying that those who have talent and/or ability give pleasure to many and do a very good job! I'm just saying they aren't necessarily heros, in my view.

Agree anagram but life would be duller without them!

There are different dictionary definitions, as well. I agree that hard work, determination and a degree of self-sacrifice are often part and parcel of becoming a successful sportsman, musician or performer, but often the motivation is the desire for achievement of a certain goal, or even self-glory.

I thinks some sports stars /musicians etc do work very hard and make sacrifices to achieve success in their sport and I can admire that determination.
However I do associate heroism with the person who responds to a situation by taking a physical risk to help someone else. Often the uniformed services do this as part of their day to day work but perhaps even greater heroes are those who do take a risk, not as part of a job they have trained to do, but because they see another human being in distress and risk their own safety.

I was just pointing out that the dictionary definition is bigger than my
narrow definition!

I suppose words mean what we mean them to mean! I shall keep hero to describe people who make sacrifices for others and I feel the word is debased when I hear some young person say a pop star or sports star is their hero.

I always thought there was an element of self-sacrifice for the greater good involved in heroism.

Looking at the dictionary definitions Wiggins is a hero: "a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities" he has certainly achieved success and , by all accounts, appears to be a nice guy too!

Perhaps there is a general misunderstanding of what the word hero can mean?