Χαλεπὸν χορίου κύνα γεύειν
[it is] dangerous when a dog tastes [the] afterbirth
Translated by David Whitehead · 28 Apr 2003 · Vetting: high · 8 revisions
Translation
The covering of the foetus is called afterbirth [chorion]. Once the dogs have tasted this they scheme against the foetuses too, because of greed.
Greek original
Χαλεπὸν χορίου κύνα γεύειν· τὸ ἔλυτρον τοῦ ἐμβρύου χόριον καλεῖται. οἱ δὲ κύνες γευσάμενοι τούτου καὶ τοῖς ἐμβρύοις ἐπιβουλεύουσι, διὰ τὸ λίχνον.
Betacode
*xalepo\n xori/ou ku/na geu/ein: to\ e)/lutron tou= e)mbru/ou xo/rion kalei=tai. oi( de\ ku/nes geusa/menoi tou/tou kai\ toi=s e)mbru/ois e)pibouleu/ousi, dia\ to\ li/xnon.
Notes
- For afterbirth see generally chi 405. The present headword phrase, which became proverbial (see Diogenianus 3.94 and other paroemiographers), comes from Theocritus, Idylls 10.11.
Linked from (2)
Neighbours in Adler order
χ15ΧαλαίστραChalaistra, Chalaestra, Chalastraχ16Χαλεπὰ τὰ καλάexcellent things are difficultχ17Χαλεπαίνειis vexedχ18Χαλεπὸν χορίου κύνα γεύειν[it is] dangerous when a dog tastes [the] afterbirthχ19Χαλεπώτατονvery difficultχ20Χαλεπωτάτους λόγουςmost difficult words, very difficult wordsχ21Χαλίκρητος ποτόςneat drink
Revisions (8)
- Catharine Rothanother keyword
- Catharine Rothcosmeticule
- Catharine Rothtweaked headword translation, coded a title
- David Whitehead
- David Whiteheadexpanded note; another keyword
- Elizabeth VandiverRaised status.
- David Whiteheadtranslated