Explaining the Trojan Horse...

Discussion in 'Cactus Cafe' started by BevoJoe, Jul 24, 2017.

  1. BevoJoe

    BevoJoe 10,000+ Posts

    So, I was in a group of business men, having a very fine Cuban cigar and an excellant scotch, when someone, an aggy, mentioned an act comparing it as if it were "like a Trojan Horse" which wasn't exactly on point, so I decided to point out the flaws to this small crowd.

    I began, "If you had looked a Trojan horse in the mouth, you'd have found Greeks inside. Well the point is, it was the Greeks who gave the Trojan horse to the Trojans, so technically, it wasn't a Trojan horse at all, it was a Greek horse. Hence the tag "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes", which you'll recall, is usually and somewhat inaccurately translated as "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts". Or doubtless you would have recalled had you not attended Texas A&M. The point is, just as the Trojan horse was Greek, what you call a Greek tag is, in fact, Latin. It's obvious, really: The Greeks would never suggest bewaring of themselves, if one can use such a participle, and it's clearly Latin not because "Timeo" ends in "o", as the Greek first person also ends in "o". No, there is a Greek word "Timao" meaning "I honour", but the "os" ending is a nominative singular termination of a second declension in Greek and an accusative plural in Latin, though actually Danaos is not only the Greek for Greek, it's also the Latin for "Greek".

    No one said a word. I grabbed a beer and made my exit.......dang ignorant aggys.
     
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    Last edited: Jul 24, 2017
  2. Seattle Husker

    Seattle Husker 10,000+ Posts

    Sounds like you ruined the party. LOL!
     
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  3. BevoJoe

    BevoJoe 10,000+ Posts

    Yeah...but it was worth it!
     

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