Allusions 46-60

Question 1

SOUR GRAPES

Answer 1

ORIGIN
The Fox and the Grapes fable by Aesop
DEFINITION
Refers to the attitude of a person who has been disappointed or thwarted. They rationalize what he/she wanted, saying it probably wasn’t that great after all

Question 2

SOLD DOWN THE RIVER

Answer 2

ORIGIN
In 19th century America, during slavery, wealthy plantation owners would sell their house servants to plantation owners in the South
DEFINITION
To be betrayed or misled, especially by a trusted individual

Question 3

NEMESIS

Answer 3

ORIGIN
Greek Goddess of vengeance and retribution. She punished people for wrongdoing, especially excessive pride
DEFINITION
A person’s “nemesis” is that which causes his or her downfall, or the term can refer to the downfall itself

Question 4

PYRRHIC VICTORY

Answer 4

ORIGIN
A general in ancient Greece “Such another victory and we are ruined”
DEFINITION
A victory in which the winners victory comes at such a great expense that it is scarcely better than losing

Question 5

FLASH IN THE PAN

Answer 5

ORIGIN
Late 17th century when flintlock muskets were used
DEFINITION
A sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing

Question 6

SCAPEGOAT

Answer 6

ORIGIN
Christian tradition acknowledged that a goat was to be slaughtered for atonement of the community, but a second goat, bearing the community’s sins, was understood to have simply gone free
DEFINITION
A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency

Question 7

DON QUIOXOTIC/QUIOXOTIC/TITLING @ WINDMILLS

Answer 7

ORIGIN
Romantic novel 1600s by Miguel Cervantes, he attacks a bunch of giants
DEFINITION
Foolish/impractical/idealistic (Quixotic) naive attempt to be heroic

Question 8

BENEDICT ARNOLD

Answer 8

ORIGIN
An epithet for a traitor in the U.S served with distinction but later became known for being traitorous
DEFINITION
Traitor

Question 9

DELPHIC ORACLE

Answer 9

ORIGIN
Delphi was the location of the temple of Apollo in Ancient Greece. People came from all over the world asking all kinds of questions. Answers were difficult to interpret and riddle-like
DEFINITION
A “delphic” production or message one that is ambiguous and difficult to interpret

Question 10

OVER A BARREL

Answer 10

ORIGIN
When someone was rescued from drowning, he/she would be held over a barrel so the water could drain from the lungs
DEFINITION
Someone unable to act independently must do the bidding of someone else

Question 10

SHIBBOLETH

Answer 10

ORIGIN
The Hebrew word for an ear of corn. Israelites used this as a password to prevent enemies from infiltrating their camps
DEFINITION
Slogan/catchword used by, associated with, a particular party, group, or sect.

Question 11

DOUBLESPEAK

Answer 11

ORIGIN
Derives from 2 concepts in George Orwell’s novel Eighty-Four (“doublethink” & “newspeak”)
DEFINITION
Deliberately euphemistic, ambiguous, or obscure language

Question 12

MURPHY’S LAW

Answer 12

ORIGIN
In engineering, Captain Ed Murphy dealt with a technician who incorrectly wired stuff which led to a zero reading
DEFINITION
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong

Question 13

MEDUSA

Answer 13

ORIGIN
Most famous of the gorgons, 3 sisters in Greek Mythology had snakes for hair
DEFINITION
A repulsive or terrifying woman. Also used for wild or unruly hair

Question 14

HOISTED WITH ONE’S OWN PETAREL

Answer 14

ORIGIN
A phrase from a speech in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet
DEFINITION
Being caught in one’s own trap or beaten at one’s own game