Tossed-around antiquities
We still quote Greek mythology every day, sometimes without having a clue
Published on February 14, 2025
Image: Chelsea Scott
We’ve already explored English words inspired by movies, or derived from the works of popular authors. But have you ever noticed how many everyday words go back to Greek mythology? Sure, we have the more obvious ones—like "narcissist" or "nemesis"—but you might find in this list terms that you didn’t know were so old. Read on!
Tantalizing
Image: Андрей Сизов
Remember the story of Tantalus? He was a king who tried to fool the gods and make them eat his son. Never a good idea! As punishment, he was condemned to eternal hunger and thirst, forever surrounded by water he couldn’t drink and fruit he could not reach.
Thus the verb and adjective "tantalizing" were born to describe situations where something is temptingly close, but frustratingly out of reach.
Achilles’ heel
Image: Alonzo Photo
We all have a weak spot, and that’s what we refer to when discussing an "Achilles heel." But why? As myth has it, Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, became invincible after his mother dipped him in the River Styx as a baby.
However, his heel wasn’t submerged during this process. That became the only spot through which he could be wounded. And, of course, that was exactly where Paris shot him with an arrow after his victories in the Trojan War—leading to his death.
Midas touch
Image: Peter Olexa
The moral of King Midas’s fable is: be careful what you wish for! This mythical king asked the god Dionysus to grant him the power to turn everything he touched into gold. It worked out well for him until he held his loved ones and transformed them into golden statues.
The term "Midas touch" usually has positive connotations, though. We use it to refer to a person whose efforts are frequently successful—not someone who jinxes each of them!
Pandora’s box
Image: Noel Nichols
Pandora was the first human woman according to Greek mythology. One day she was set to watch a jar—not a box—her husband owned, which she was instructed to never open. But eventually, curiosity won over her.
When she opened it, out flew all the evils of the world. Today, the mistranslated expression "Pandora’s box" refers to any process that, once set in motion, leads to a chain of disasters.
Nemesis
Image: Matt Seymour
In Greek mythology, delivering justice was the job of Nemesis. The goddess of retribution, she made sure that those who committed hubris (excessive pride) or wrongdoing were punished.
Today’s meaning of the noun derives from that. "Nemesis" first referred to that fatal flaw that might destroy one, which then evolved to be used about an opponent or rival who seems unbeatable and who might cause someone's downfall.
Echo
Image: Nikola Johnny Mirkovic
Before referring to a sonorous effect, this word was the name of a nymph. This chatty young creature was cursed by an irritated Hera to only repeat the last words spoken to her—a curse that obviously worked disasters for her relationships.
She faded away until only her voice remained. Her story was used to explain the physical phenomenon of sound being repeated, but also to describe any repetition or imitation.
Muse
Image: Art Institute of Chicago
In Greek mythology, the Muses were nine goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences, inspiring creativity in mortals. From epic poetry to music and dance, these ladies were the ultimate source of artistic ideation.
Today, "muse" refers to anyone or anything that sparks the same spirit. It could be a loved one, a beautiful landscape, or even a really good cup of coffee.
Fury
Image: Rodrigo Curi
"Fury" was never linked to any peaceful or amiable personality—not even in Greek antiquity. Erinyes or Eumenides were raging, vengeful deities who punished criminals. In Roman mythology, these were translated as the Dirae or the Furiae.
The English language adopted these concepts from Latin, and transformed them into "dire" and "fury."
Clue
Image: Ashley Batz
This word comes from the story of Theseus, the first person to escape the Minotaur’s labyrinth alive. Young Ariadna helped Theseus find his way out by following a ball of thread (a "clew" in Old English).
Thus the concept of "clue" came to mean anything that helps us solve a problem or mystery.
Morphine
Image: Maxim Makarov
Millennia before being a character in the blockbuster The Matrix, Morpheus was the name of the god of dreams. He was often depicted with poppies, the source of opium.
In the 19th century, a pharmacist studying the painkilling effects of opium derivates decided to give this substance the name "morphium," in honor of the mythical Greek figure.
Titanic
Image: Francisco Ghisletti
We are not here referring to the tragically sunken ship—although that one derives from this term. "Titanic" is an adjective that describes something enormous and powerful, such as the majestic ship at its time.
The term alludes to the Titans, enormous primordial gods who preceded the Greek Olympians and had enough power to upturn the Earth.
Narcissistic
Image: Sofia Rotaru
Finally, a word that gets tossed around very liberally these days: Narcissist! Most of us know the myth of Narcissus, the handsome lad who fell in love with his own reflection and drowned as a consequence.
Countless authors throughout history used "Narcissus" in the same texts as "self-love," from Shakespeare to Byron to Baudelaire. Later, many theorists assigned varying meanings to "narcissism," ranging from healthy to disproportionate obsession with the self.
