Sunday, December 6, 2009

Old Phrases, New Meanings

"But now I cleared my mind of Circe's orders - cramping my style, urging me not to arm at all."

- Odysseus, The Odyssey Book 12, Page 278

'Cramping my style' - an older phrase that was popularized in the early 90's if I remember correctly, perhaps earlier, and yet it all stemmed from a piece of literature far, far older than that. This is but one of the many instances in classical literature where phrases become popular once again. Odysseus used it, Bart Simpson used it and it has most likely been used by our generation and the generations preceding ours. At the very least we all know of it and yet it is far older than anyone can remember. I guess this proves that good literature is everlasting, the right phrase - timeless.

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