March 31, 2011

Word of Day: Cloud-cuckoo-land

Cloud-cuckoo-land  \KLOUD-koo-koo-land\ noun

1. An idealized, unrealistic state; a place out of touch with reality; an imaginary place where silly or unrealistic people metaphorically reside.

Origin: From Greek Nephelokokkugianepele 'cloud' + kokkux 'cuckoo'.  The word was coined in 'The Birds', a comedy by Athenian playwright Aristophanes.  Nephelokokkugia was the name of a city in the sky, built by the birds in collaboration with some Athenians.

 

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