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Hey all, I have decided to bring back the Did You Know? series when every time I read something interesting, I kept on saying to myself, 'This is nice to be shared as Did You Know? series'. This was also because of my small chat with a respectable chatter, Asif Ali, Zindani.

Did you know that there are many idioms or expression based from myth or legend. Here I want to share some of them with you.

Thank you rysperski and Asif Ali, Zindani.for sharing some other expressions/idioms that are based from myth.

1. Prodigal son.

Prodigal son means a wayward son who squandered his wealth and inheritance but when he comes back home he found out his father still loves him. This is a parable from Luke 15 about two sons of which the younger son had asked from his father for his early inheritance. Once he received his inheritance, he ran away and spent all his wealth foolishly. Soon he became very destitute. Once he realised his circumstances, he came back to his father and asked for forgiveness and mercy. To his surprise, his father received him with an open arms and celebrated his return. Normally we will use a sentence such as 'The return of the prodigal son has been warmly receive'. 

2. Achilles heels 

When people is said to have an Achilles heel, it means that person has a weakness or vulnerable point. This term is derived from the Greek myth about Archilles and his mother Thetis. 

According to legend, when Achilles was born, his mother, in an effort to make him immortal, took Achilles to the Styx river and dipped him. However, she had to hold him by one heel. Thus, the area where she held him was dry. This was the one vulnerable area on Achilles since this area was not touched by the magical water of Styx. 

Achilles was said had became the hero in many battles. However, during the Trojan War, Paris, Prince of the Trojan, had shot an arrow at Achilles heel. Because that was the only place that was not touched by the magic of immortality, Achilles died. 

3. Pandora's box

Pandora's box is a source of many unforeseen troubles. It was based from Greek myth about how Zeus like to meted out his punishment. It was said that Hephaestus was ordered by Zeus to make him a daughter. Thus, Hephaestus made a beautiful woman out of clay and named her Pandora. After that, Zeus gave his daughter to marry Epimetheus, who was a gentle and lonely man. Zeus was not being generous, instead this was his way on getting even.

As a parting gift, Zeus gave Pandora a little box with a big heavy lock on it. He made her promise of never to open the box, ever, and thus he gave the key to Epimetheus and also told him to never open the box. Zeus was convinced that curiousity would get the better of Epimetheus or his brother Prometheus, and they would open the box eventually.

Pandora was very curious, and wanted to open the box, but she was told not to open it. One day, while Epumetheus was sleeping, she stole the key and opened the box. Once it was opened, all kind of disease and sickness, hate and envy, and all bad things that people had never experienced before flew out from the box. Pandora slammed shut the lid, but it was too late. All bad things were already out into the world. However, there was one last thing that flew out of the box. It was called Hope.

People always put caution to something unknown and say, 'Don't open the Pandora's box'.

Do you know any other idioms or terms that derived from myth or legend? Please share.

rysperski also has added four more expressions/idioms that are derived from myth/legend and Asif Ali, Zindani. has added five more.

1. Cutting the Gordian’s knot – It is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem

2. Herculean Task – a an arduous assignment needing superhuman efforts to accomplish.

3. Sisyphus Labour -  a grueling, futile, never ending work

4. Trojan Horse -  any trick or stratagem that causes a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or space – as well as any ruse that seems to be friendly but at the end brings ruin to the host.

5. Drawing the line in the sand - to create or declare an artificial boundary and imply that crossing it will cause trouble. It can be traced back to Biblical link John 8.6

6. To lead a Spartans life - to live in a harsh, strict existence, with no frills or superfluous luxuries or pleasures

7. Burn one’s bridges/Cross the Rubicon - was taken from the ancient Rome and means to eliminate all possibilities of retreat.

8. Pyrrhic victory - which refers to a victory or any situation that is accompanied by enormous losses and leaves the winners in as desperate shape as if they had lost.This expression was named after Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans at Heraclea in 280 BC and Asculum in 279 BC during the Pyrrhic War. King Pyrrhus after defeating the Romans in battle stated: "If we win another such battle against the Romans, we will be completely lost.

9. Rome wasn't built in a day - it means it will take a long time to do some important job.

My other Did You Know? series:-

1. Did You Know?;   2. Did You Know - Continuation;   3. Did You Know - Another Continuation;   4. Did You Know - Not Another Continuation!;   5. Did You Know - Gosh! Will it never ends?;   6. Did You Know - Oh No! Not Another One!;   7. Did You Know? - Here Comes Another One!;   8. Did You Know? - Another One?;  9. Did You Know? - One, Two, Eighty Six?;   10. Did You Know? - Punishment? OMG!;   11. Did You Know? - John Has it All?;   12. Did You Know? - Is this a Swan Song?;