it\'s all Greek to me

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase it\'s all Greek to me, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression it\'s all Greek to me used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "it\'s all Greek to me"

Meaning

The phrase “It’s all Greek to me” is used to describe something that is incomprehensible. It is generally used when someone is trying to explain something and the listener is unable to understand what they are saying. It implies that the words being spoken are just as confusing and foreign to the listener as the ancient language of Greek.

Etymology

The phrase “It’s all Greek to me” was first recorded in 1599 in a play by William Shakespeare called “Julius Caesar”. In a famous line from the play, Cassius says “Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth become the mouth As well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; Conjure with ‘em, ‘Brutus’ will start a spirit as soon As ‘Caesar’. Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he is grown so great?” In response, Casca responds “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates; The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Writ Them together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; Conjure with ‘em, “Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar”. But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise; fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she.” To which Casca replies “It is all Greek to me!” As this is the first known record of the phrase, this is thought to be

Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language in Idioms

Idioms often use figurative language to convey a message that is not meant to be taken literally. For instance, the idiom "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaint, while "hold your horses" means to be patient and wait. Other idioms, like "kick the bucket" or "pop your clogs," use euphemisms to talk about death.