white elephant
Meanings
noun
- A possession that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment.
- Clipping of white elephant exchange.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see white, elephant.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
In Siam, elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin.
Related words
Derived words
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