Call a spade a spade

Posted by Gary Martin July 27, 2000In reply to Call a spade a spade posted by Sam McMillan on July 27, 2000

What is the derivation of this phrase: call a spade a spade. Some folks in the office think this is derogatory and racist. I'm thinking it comes from the construction trades.

any ideas

thanks

Sam,

This phrase goes back to Greek text at least as early as 300BC and doesn't have racist origins. John Knox introduced it into English when translating a Latin text by Erasmus. "I have learned to call wickedness by its own terms: A fig is a fig and a spade a spade."

My own origins are so humble I call a spade a shovel.

Gary

Replies

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