Brewer's: Amphitryon

Le véritable Amphitryon est l'Amphitryon où l'on dine (Molière). That is, the person who provides the feast (whether master of the house or not) is the real host. The tale is that Jupiter assumed the likeness of Amphitryon, and gave a banquet; but Amphitryon himself came home, and claimed the honour of being the master of the house. As far as the servants and guests were concerned, the dispute was soon decided—“he who gave the feast was to them the host.”

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Related Content