"Tantalus Flour" - the meaning of phraseology and the history of expression

In our language there are stable expressions that have been used without changes for many years. Behind such speech streams are historical facts and events of the past, even real people. These expressions are combinations of words, which individually mean often quite different and have a different meaning. Such turns are called phraseological units. Sometimes they use their own names. Often in our speech there are such turns: "box of Pandora", "Achilles heel" or "flour of Tantalus". The meaning of this type of phraseology can be understood only if one knows the events that led to the appearance of this expression. Most of these turns are taken from ancient Greek culture.

Myths are the source of phraseology

In ancient Greek culture, a huge layer of myths and legends about the deeds of gods and heroes has been accumulated. They have been the source of stable expressions for many centuries. One of them is "Tantalus flour". The meaning of phraseology becomes clear if one knows the mythology. The ancient Greek gods lived on Olympus. They had the same vices as people, spending a lot of time at feasts and fun. Sometimes mortals were invited to these meetings - the children of the gods and ordinary people. This honor was also awarded to the Phrygian king Tantalus. He was the son of Zeus and the nymph Pluto, and the gods loved him, often invited to Olympus and visited his magnificent palace. He was very rich and lived happily. Why, in history, has only the expression of "Tantalum flour" preserved? Its meaning will become clear if we examine the fate of this king. Tantalus became arrogant, arrogant and committed several unseemly acts, for which he was punished by the gods. He was overthrown in Tartarus and subjected to terrible tortures.

What was Tantalus punished for?

1. According to one version, he was so proud that he bragged about people with his friendship with the gods and even gave out their secrets.

2. According to another opinion, Tantalus wanted to steal ambrosia and divine nectar from Olympus to give them to people. But since they gave immortality, Zeus could not allow this.

3. The most common version of the appearance of the expression "Tantalus flour" is the murder of his son. The gods often dined at his palace. And one day the king wanted to check the vision of the gods and, slaughtering his son, gave them a dish of his meat for lunch. But the gods did not eat it, they loved Pelops, so they revived him, and Tantalus himself was severely punished. He was banished to hell, so that he redeemed his guilt with suffering.

Flour of Tantalus

What trials did the former favorite of the gods in Tartarus undergo? He experienced painful thirst, terrible hunger and fear. Therefore, the phraseology of "Tantalum flour" is not Is very different from its original value. The Phrygian king stood up to his throat in clear water, but was thirsty. After all, when he wanted to get drunk, the water swiftly left. Overhead Tantalus hung a lot of ripe fruit, but he was suffering a terrible famine. After all, when he reached out his hand, the branches moved away from him. In addition, he was in constant fear, because over his head hung a huge rock, ready to collapse just about. That is described in the myths of the flour of Tantalus.

The meaning of phraseology today

The punishment of the Phrygian king was so revealing and cruel that this story is instructive even now. People consider Tantalus to be very cruel. The meaning of phraseology in modern speech is a different experience or torture caused by the inability to achieve a desired and such a close goal. So they say about a man who undergoes cruel tortures, endless suffering. Often the expression "flour Tantalus" is used in the absence of some vital things - for example, food or sleep. But sometimes this phraseology is used for phenomena not very important, but for a person of great value. It seems that just reach the goal, but it is impossible. The expression "tantalum flour" can also be used in a figurative sense for giving speech an ironic meaning.

Most of the phraseological units, originating in ancient Greek mythology, are used mainly in fiction and journalism. Not an exception and the expression "flour Tantalus." Its meaning is not clear to many people, and in ordinary conversations it is almost not used. But every cultured and educated person should know what it means.