no details needed :-)
2006-10-01 13:48:49 · 3 answers · asked by vmakhi3604 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
sorry phrase was used in context of people ignoring the main issue and talking around it - was this misused? i.e. ignoring the big white elephant in the room....
2006-10-02 06:49:19 · update #1
Indian maharajahs would give an elephant as "present"
since it was from the king, you could not refuse it
but the upkeep of the elephant often bankrupted the person
so a "white elephant" became a way of saying
a money pit...a losing venture....a financial nightmare etc
details anyway ;- ]
2006-10-01 16:45:45 · answer #1 · answered by Gemelli2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It,s a derogatory term for something immense that has little use/purpose etc for which it was intended.
Possibly originated from the rarity of white elephants
2006-10-01 16:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by renclrk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Hills like white elephants', a famous short story about abortion.
2006-10-01 13:57:13 · answer #3 · answered by lumpyoatmeal330 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋