[Lexicog] names as characteristic of a category

[John Roberts]

Fritz,

It seems to me that Biblical names are more likely to be used 
idomatically to express a particular characteristic if it is used in a 
negative sense (in English at least). E.g.

Jeremiah - a person who continually prophesies doom
Jericho - a remote place to which one is humorously consigned
Jezebel - a shameless painted woman
Jonah - someone who brings bad luck onboard a ship or elsewhere
Judas - a traitor

Some are positive, e.g.
Joseph - one whose chastity is above temptation
Job - a person of great patience

Then you have expressions like "I don't know him from Adam" or "He is as 
old as Methusaleh" in which the Biblical character functions more as a 
reference without positive or negative connotations. Adam = someone you 
cannot know and Methusaleh = the oldest person who ever lived.

By the way, the first example below is an English idiom, but the others 
are not - as far as I know.

Solomon - wise man

*David - wise king
*Jonathan - good friend
*Ruth - true proselite
*Esther - beautiful patriot
*Elija - maker miracles

Best wishes,

John Roberts


-- 
********************
John R Roberts
SIL International Linguistics Consultant
dr_john_roberts at sil.org
********************



 
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