apple of discord

Meaning

An object or topic which sows anger and dissension; something which causes argument, rivalry, or strife.

Synonyms

bone of contention

Translations

pomme de discorde

twistappel

Zankapfel

manzana de la discordia

mela della discordia

μήλο της έρηδας

pomo della discordia

mālum discordiae

pomo da discórdia

mela

🍎

μήλον της έριδος

pomo

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæp(ə)l əv ˈdɪskɔːd/

Etymology

A reference to the μῆλον τῆς Ἔριδος (mêlon tês Éridos, “apple of Eris”) in Greek mythology, a golden apple inscribed ‘for the fairest female’ which Eris (known as Discordia to the Romans), the goddess of discord and strife, tossed in the midst of the feast of the gods at the wedding of Thetis and Peleus. This provoked a dispute among Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera as to who was the most beautiful, and eventually led to the Trojan War.