Bring owls to Athens

Meaning

The idiom "bring owls to Athens" means to introduce something new or unfamiliar into a situation that is not suited for it, or to do something that is considered impolite or out of place in a particular context. It implies that the person bringing the new thing or doing the new action is causing confusion or disruption.

Usage

• "I can't believe you brought your skateboard to the funeral, it was completely inappropriate." (The person brought something unfamiliar into a somber situation)
• "She always brings owls to dinner parties, it's so out of place." (The person introduces something new and unsuitable into a formal setting)
• "I can't believe he brought his guitar to the movie theater, it was distracting and loud." (The person brought something that caused disruption in a quiet environment)
• "He always brings owls to coffee shops, it's so disrespectful to other people." (The person introduces something impolite into a social setting)
• "I can't believe she brought her dog to the office meeting, it was such a distraction." (The person brought something new and unsuitable into a professional setting)

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but there are several theories. One theory suggests that it originated from the story of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who was said to have been born fully grown from Zeus' forehead. This image of Athena in a city full of owls is believed to represent the idea of introducing something new and unfamiliar into an environment that is not suited for it. Another theory suggests that this idiom originated from Plato's dialogues, where he often used the metaphor of owls to describe those who are foolish or lack knowledge. This idea of trying to introduce something new into a situation that is already flawed or lacking in wisdom is thought to be the source of the idiom. Over time, the meaning of this idiom has remained relatively consistent, with its focus on introducing something unfamiliar or unwelcome into a particular context being the dominant theme.

Synonyms in English

• Introduce something new or foreign into an environment that is not suited for it
• Cause confusion or disruption
• Bring something impolite or out of place into a particular context

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Llevar pato en un baile de gente refinada" (To bring a duck to a refined ball)
• French: "Bringer d'une mauvaise humeur à une réunion" (To bring a bad mood to a meeting)
• German: "Einen Fisch in ein Bächen stellen" (To introduce something not suited into a particular environment)
• Italian: "Portare un pesce di mare in una festa dell'agricoltura" (To bring a fish from the sea to an agricultural festival)
• Russian: "Внести что-то неприемлемое в дом" (To introduce something not welcomed into a home)

Similar Idioms

• bird’s eye view

• back door

• bring up