white elephant
Meaning
- An albino elephant.
- (figuratively) A possession that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment.
Synonyms
Translations
éléphant blanc
lange Dinge unangebrachte Wohltat lästige Wohltat
cattedrale nel deserto
elefante blanco
elefant blanc
beyaz filEtymology
In Siam, elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin.
Notes
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