GREEK GIFT Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "Greek gift" refers to a deceptive or treacherous gesture or present that initially appears to be beneficial or generous but ultimately results in harm or negative consequences for the recipient. Originating from ancient Greek folklore and mythology, this phrase has become a part of the English language, symbolizing an insidious and cunning act.
A Greek gift embodies the idea of a Trojan horse, alluding to the Greek mythological tale in which the Greeks cunningly presented a colossal wooden horse to the city of Troy as a gift. Unbeknownst to the Trojans, this horse concealed Greek soldiers, who emerged during the night to conquer and destroy the city. Similarly, a Greek gift implies a hidden agenda or ulterior motive, employed to deceive and manipulate others.
In contemporary usage, "Greek gift" commonly refers to a seemingly valuable or kind offering that, once accepted, brings unforeseen negative outcomes, disappointments, or betrayal. This can manifest in various forms, such as a seemingly generous proposal that turns out to be a clever business ploy, a favor granted to extract a favor in return, or a supposed act of friendship with underlying intentions to exploit or harm the recipient.
Given its mythological origins, the term "Greek gift" evokes cautionary tales and serves as a reminder to be skeptical or vigilant while assessing seemingly advantageous offers or gestures, as they may be deceitful and detrimental in disguise.
Common Misspellings for GREEK GIFT
- freek gift
- vreek gift
- breek gift
- hreek gift
- yreek gift
- treek gift
- geeek gift
- gdeek gift
- gfeek gift
- gteek gift
- g5eek gift
- g4eek gift
- grwek gift
- grsek gift
- grdek gift
- grrek gift
- gr4ek gift
- gr3ek gift
- grewk gift
- gresk gift
Etymology of GREEK GIFT
The etymology of the phrase "Greek gift" traces back to ancient Greek mythology and historical events. The term originates from the story of the Trojan War and the famous Greek stratagem of the Trojan Horse.
According to the legend, Greek warriors laid siege to the city of Troy for ten years but were unable to conquer it. In a final attempt, they devised a plan to infiltrate the city. The Greeks constructed a massive wooden horse, hiding skilled soldiers inside it, and left it outside the gates of Troy as an apparent offering or gift.
The Trojans, considering it a tribute or a victory token, decided to bring the horse inside their city walls. However, unbeknownst to them, the horse contained Greek soldiers, who later emerged at nightfall and opened the city gates for the rest of the Greek army. The Greeks breached the defenses of Troy and ultimately destroyed the city.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
