The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions - Green Valley High School

Old Testament
346
was a recipe for disaster” ( Jeremy Paxman, Friends
in High Places, 1990).
Old Testament Sometimes used to describe
stern, retributive justice or thinking. <strong>The</strong> Old Testament
is that part of the Bible describing the history
of Israel. It is divided into the fi ve books of
the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy);
the historical books of Joshua through Esther; the
books of poetry and wisdom, Job through Song of
Solomon, including Psalms; and the books of the
prophets Isaiah to Malachi. In par tic u lar thinking
the God of the Old Testament is sometimes seen
as less forgiving than that of the New Testament,
but closer reading of the Bible shows that both
testaments describe God as holy, yet also kind and
loving. He was a believer in Old Testament justice—
short, sharp, and entirely merciless.
olive branch A peace offering or symbol of
peace. <strong>The</strong> olive branch has had special signifi cance
as a peace symbol since classical times. A Greek
myth relates how Poseidon and Athena both competed
to be chosen patron of the city of Athens.
Poseidon tried to bribe the citizens with the offer
of a horse, which represented his strength and
courage, while Athena presented them with an
olive tree, representing peace and prosperity.
Athena won and the new city was named in her
honor. <strong>The</strong> olive branch also has signifi cance in
Christian and Jewish iconography as it was an olive
leaf that the dove brought back to Noah as a sign
that the waters of the Flood were fi nally receding
(Genesis 8:11). “We are now not armed for war,
but approach the reverend towers of the old cathedral
with an olive branch in our hands.” (Anthony
Trollope, Barchester Towers, 1857).
Olive Oyl See popeye.
Oliver See roland.
Oliver Twist A foundling or orphan. Oliver Twist
is the central character in the novel (1837–38)
bearing his name published to great acclaim by the
British novelist Charles Dickens (1812–70). Oliver
is a young pauper who endures the harsh realities
of life in the work house and becomes part of a
gang of pickpockets led by the rascally fagin
before being rescued and taken in by the kindly
Mr. Brownlow. In the most famous scene from the
novel, the hapless and hungry Oliver causes consternation
in the work house when he innocently
asks for more food. Like Oliver Twist, many children
even now go the whole school day without a meal. See
also artful dodger; nancy.
Olympia; Olympiad See olympic games.
Olympian (blimpeebn) Godlike; majestic; superior;
aloof. According to Greek mythology the
home of the gods (sometimes called the Twelve
Olympians) was located on the snowy summit of
Mount Olympus in northern Greece, hidden
from human sight by clouds. Here the gods lived
in wonderful palaces and held meetings in a great
council chamber or were entertained by the Muses
with the lyre and song. “I think I shall have a lofty
throne for you, godmamma, or rather two, one on
the lawn and another in the ballroom, that you
may sit and look down upon us like an Olympian
goddess” (George Eliot, Adam Bede, 1859). See also
olympic games.
Olympic Games (blimpik) International athletics
competition held every two years, alternating for
summer sports and winter sports. <strong>The</strong> modern
Olympic Games, fi rst held in Athens in 1896, were
modeled on the famous competitions held in