ProverbWisdom
Latin origin
Latin originEven Homer nods
Meaning: The English translation Homer nods has become standard following Pope (1709), but is due to Dryden (1677).
Who said it? Horace, Ars Poetica
Example: “The star chef burned the sauce; even Homer nods.”
Origin: From the Roman poet Horace's Ars Poetica, where he says he is annoyed whenever good Homer nods — then allows that in a long work, some drowsiness is forgivable. It is said whenever a master makes an uncharacteristic slip.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
- Sensible Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Constipado Actually means 'having a head cold'. Estoy constipado = I have a cold.
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