2 (seeMidtermFor1) Flashcards
Icarus.
Greek mythology
“An Icarus” or “flying too close to the sun”
To fail or be destroyed because of excessive ambition or lack of caution
Bread and Circuses
Writer during Roman Empire
Politics designed to prevent unrest by keeping people happy
Deus ex machina
Classical theater
“God from the machine”. Crane to lower an actor. A god appear unexpectedly to solve a hopeless problem.
Surprising turn of events that make things turn out alright. Unsatisfying or overly convenient way to end a story.
Tabula Rosa
“Blank slate”
John Locke.
Someone or something entirely unmarked or uninfluenced or unbiased.
Tantalus
King who offended the gods, doomed to suffer hunger and thirst eternally in hell
“Tantalize” it offer and then withhold something desirable
NIMBY
Acronym-Not In My Back Yard
People aware of the necessity of unpleasant things(jail,landfill,chemical plants), but insist that they be located away from where they live
Waterloo
1815 Napoleon was defeated (near modern Belgium)
“Meet ones Waterloo” is to suffer an ultimate, decisive defeat
The emperors new clothes
Hans Christian Anderson
Point out falseness or pretentiousness of something especially if others are afraid to admit the truth
Left-handed (backhanded) compliment
Left hand=negative
A compliment that is rude or insulting in some way
Golden calf
Duh… Exodus.
Something worshiped even though unworthy
Sword of Damocles
Legend. Damocles was a courtier of Greek king, and flattered him. Put in kings place with sword overhead
“Sword of Damocles” awareness of imminent or impending danger
Svengali
Character in Trilby (by George du Maurier)
“Svengali” is a person who exercises excessive control over another person
Non sequitur
“It does not follow” Latin.
Statement unrelated to what was said before. In logic, a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.
White elephant
Albinos are rare and considered special and valuable, but not beast of burden.
Object of no use to the owner that may be an inconvenience or financial burden
Fiddle while Rome burns
Nero fiddle indifferently during big fire.
Display indifference in a disaster or emergency
