Ἐπανάκρουσαι πάλιν
to put back again
Translated by Ross Scaife ✝15 Feb 2004Vetting: high3 revisions
Translation
[sc. A phrase stemming] from the rowers, whenever upon turning the stern they back water, in order to manoeuvre the vessel backwards.1
Aristophanes in Birds [writes]: "put back again here."2 Meaning turn back. The metaphor [comes] from those backing the reins or the ships. Or: turn back, go back. Putting-back is properly [used of] holding off the on-rushing ship thrust for thrust, so as not to shatter [one's own ship] by rushing forward. The [word] "again" (pa/lin ) applies to [motion] backwards, from men rowing forwards. Or meaning singing before this, [as if to say] sing again and repeat.
Aristophanes in Birds [writes]: "put back again here."2 Meaning turn back. The metaphor [comes] from those backing the reins or the ships. Or: turn back, go back. Putting-back is properly [used of] holding off the on-rushing ship thrust for thrust, so as not to shatter [one's own ship] by rushing forward. The [word] "again" (