2. Greek Mythology

Let's dig up some words and phrases in the English language which are rooted in Greek mythology.

Herculean : Having enormous strength, courage, or size; requiring the great strength of a Hercules; very hard to perform.

Usage: Digging up this information was a Herculean task!

Greek mythology: The son of Zeus and Alcmene, a hero of extraordinary strength who won immortality by performing 12 labous demanded by the Argive king Eurystheus.

Pandora's box : A source of extensive but unforeseen troubles or problems.

Usage: Be in his good books, unless you want to open a real Pandora's box.

Greek mythology: A box that Zeus gave Pandora with strict instructions not to open. But she gave into her curiosity and opened it and miseries and evils flew out to trouble mankind.

Nemesis : A source of harm or ruin; Retributive justice in its execution or outcome; An opponent that cannot be beaten or overcome.

Usage: Everyone knows that chocolates are a dog's real nemesis.

Greek mythology: Nemesis is the daughter of Nyx (night) and the personification of righteous anger, especially that of the gods at human presumption.

Atlas : A bound collection of maps.

Greek mythology: Atlas was the son of Titan Iapetus and nymph Clymene. He was one of the Titans who waged war against Zeus, and as a punishment he was condemned to hold aloft the heavens.

Augean : Resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation; difficult and unpleasant.

Usage: The mother thought that cleaning her son's room was an Augean task.

Greek mythology: Son of Helios and king of Elis, his huge herds of cattle were kept in the Augean Stables. Neglected and unkept for 30 years, the stables were finally cleaned by Hercules by diverting the course of a river through them.