Αὐλητρὶς πέπτωκεν
the girl piper has fallen
Translated by William Hutton24 Mar 2002Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
An ambiguity of expression, signifying two or even more things both colloquially and properly. For through [this expression] it is revealed both that the house has fallen three times and that the girl musician, the piper [has fallen]. See also under 'ambiguity'.1
Greek original · Adler’s text
Αὐλητρὶς πέπτωκεν· ἀμφιβολία λέξεως, δύο ἢ καὶ πλείονα πράγματα σημαίνουσα λεκτικῶς καὶ κυρίως. δηλοῦται γὰρ δι' αὐτῆς, ὅτι καὶ οἰκία τρὶς πέπτωκε, καὶ ὅτι ἡ κιθαρῳδὸς ἡ αὐλοῦσα. καὶ ζήτει ἐν τῷ ἀμφιβολία.