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The Kitchen Table

Phrase of the day 12/23

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

To sow dragon’s teeth

This expression, meaning to start a course of action which seemingly is peaceful in intent but actually will lead to war, is of a very ancient origin. Cadmus, a Phoenician prince, killed a dragon and sowed its teeth. From the teeth sprang up a band of fierce warriors call the “Sparti,” who warred among themselves until only 5 remained. Cadmus put them to work for him, they laid out the city of Thebes, for which he took credit.

The phrase Cadmean Victory, meaning a victory won at nearly ruinous cost to the victor, came from this incident. It is a literal translation of the Greek: Kadmeia nike.

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Comments (6)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
I will impress my kiddos at dinner with this tidbit. Thank you.
Fun2BHere
5 years ago
Hunh. I had heard of Pyrrhic victory with that meaning, but I'd never heard of Cadmean Victory. Off to read about it.
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I really enjoy these, Jim. Thank you.
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I always thought the "let the cat out of the bag" referred to the cat o'nine tails the ship's captains used to whip unruly crewmen. Don't let the cat out of the bag referred to not letting on to the plan or the plot and thus unleash the whip.
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Thank you for that, it's very interesting. Amazing how many phrases that we use that have colorful origins. Edited to add name: Stacey_mb
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Sight for sore eyes A very old expression and means “a very welcome sight,” especially one that is unexpected, such as the sudden appearance of an old friend. The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs gives as an example this quotation from a book published in 1836: “What a sight for sore eyes it would be to see Garrick act.” In Jonathan Swift’s “Polite Conversation” (1736) he wrote: The sight of you is good for sore eyes.”
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Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
Me too Fun, I've heard of Pyrrhic victory, but not Cadmean.

I've never heard the expression about sowing dragon's teeth either.
stacey_mb
5 years ago
Sowing dragon's teeth sounds very visual to me, but maybe my mind is going to a Lord of the Rings movie.
crazybrunette64
5 years ago
I've never heard this before - interesting!
lucillle
5 years ago
I think if Jim keeps up his entertaining daily phrases thread, after 6 months to a year all of us will have the most amazing repertoire of interesting phrases, just time for all of the 'we're all vaccinated' parties. :)

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