Bone of contention

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Elena

#70704 Sat, 29 Jan 05 12:58 AM

Does anyone know how this expression developed? Where does it come from?

Elena

Joined on Thu, Jul 31 2003

Spain

Regular Member (827)

Enjoying my English study

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Mister Micawber

#70722 Sat, 29 Jan 05 03:59 AM

Two dogs fighting over a bone, I always thought.

Yep: 'This expression alludes to two dogs fighting (contending) over a single bone. In slightly different guise, bone of dissension, it was used figuratively in the 16th century and took its present form in the early 1700s.'

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (21,223)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

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Elena

#72530 Sun, 06 Feb 05 11:12 PM

Thanks MrM.

Speaking of a bone, I shouldn't expect another explanation, but still I thought it could be something more behind the expression.

Its equivalent in Spanish, the apple of the contention, has a mythological origin, with a complicated story which, in short, refers to the three most beautiful Greek goddesses, Hera, Athene and Aphrodite in content for a made on gold apple with the inscription 'for the most beautiful', thrown by Erida, the goddess of the discord.

Elena

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Mister Micawber

#72535 Sun, 06 Feb 05 11:39 PM

I know the myth, and the phrase certainly exists in English; but it has not the general acceptance that the good old 'bone' has. Literary and classical allusions are phenomena fading from the language.

Mister Micawber