Αὕτη μὲν ἡ μήρινθος οὐδὲν ἔσπασε

this line brought in nothing

Translated by William Hutton31 Mar 2002Vetting: high3 revisions

15 words

A proverb in reference to those meeting with no success. The metaphor [comes] from fishermen.

Greek original · Adler’s text

Αὕτη μὲν ἡ μήρινθος οὐδὲν ἔσπασε· παροιμία ἐπὶ τῶν μηδενὸς τυγχανόντων. ἡ μεταφορὰ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁλιέων.

Betacode

*au(/th me\n h( mh/rinqos ou)de\n e)/spase: paroimi/a e)pi\ tw=n mhdeno\s tugxano/ntwn. h( metafora\ a)po\ tw=n a(lie/wn.

Notes

The headword phrase quotes Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae 928; cf. mu 978 and the notes there.

Linked from1 entry

μ978Μήρινθοςline[Meaning] rope, or cord, bond, noose. "Now this line brought in nothing." [sc. A saying] in reference to those who try something and fail. "The line certainly brought in nothing good for them; for not much later clouds…

Neighbouring entries

α4473Αὐτήκοοιself-heeding α4474Αὐτῆμαρthat very day α4475Αὕτη μὲν ἡ μήρινθος οὐδὲν ἔσπασεthis line brought in nothing α4476Αὐτήνit α4477Ἀϋτήνwar-cry

Revision history3 revisions · last 2 May 2012

2 May 2012Revised — David Whitehead
18 Oct 2005another keyword — David Whitehead
12 Apr 2002augmented note and keywords; cosmetics — David Whitehead
31 Mar 2002Translated — William Hutton