Αἰθίοπα σμήχειν

to wash an Ethiopian white

Translated by Catharine Roth1 Nov 2002Vetting: high5 revisions

11 words

[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those exerting vain efforts.

Greek original · Adler’s text

Αἰθίοπα σμήχειν· ἐπὶ τῶν μάτην πονούντων.

Betacode

*ai)qi/opa smh/xein: e)pi\ tw=n ma/thn ponou/ntwn.

First attested -- as already proverbial -- in Lucian, To the Ignorant Book-buyer 28. See also the paroemiographers: Zenobius 1.46, Diogenianus 1.45, Macarius 1.62. See generally Tosi [cited under alpha 378] no.1893.
For this type of proverb see the cross-references under alphaiota 114.