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

Praxitelean
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themselves to those in power. <strong>The</strong> adjective praetorian
may also be applied to regimes of a strong
military, authoritarian character. In times of trouble
it is the duty of aides to gather around the president as a
form of praetorian guard, sheltering him from further
hostile attentions.
Praxitelean (praksiteleebn) Of the highest standard
in sculpture. Praxiteles was an Athenian
sculptor who fl ourished in the fourth century b.c.
and was regarded as the fi nest sculptor Greece had
ever known. His few surviving works include a
statue of Hermes carry ing the infant Dionysus.
“She had bared her plump neck, shoulders, and
arms to the moonshine, under which they looked
as luminous and beautiful as some Praxitelean
creation” (Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D’Urbervilles,
1891).
premillennialism See millennium.
Presley, Elvis See king, the.
priapic (priapik) Of or relating to the sexual
urge in males; phallic. <strong>The</strong> word alludes to Priapus,
the son of Dionysus and Aphrodite and the
god of gardens and vineyards and of male reproductive
power. He was not too old to feel the need to
satisfy the odd priapic urge, although he rarely did anything
about it.
price of wisdom is above rubies, the Nothing is
more valuable than wisdom. This proverb is of
biblical origin, appearing in Job 28:18: “No mention
shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the
price of wisdom is above rubies.” (See also Proverbs
3:15 and 8:11.) “Who can fi nd a virtuous
woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Thomas
Hardy, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, 1891).
pricks, kick against the See kick against the
pricks.
pride goeth before a fall Overconfi dence and
arrogance often result in humiliation or disaster.
<strong>The</strong> proverb is of biblical origin: “Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a
fall” (Proverbs 16:18). It is also encountered in the
form pride comes before a fall. “ ‘I suppose he
thinks he’d be mayor himself,’ said the people of
Blackstable. <strong>The</strong>y pursed their lips. ‘Pride goeth
before a fall’ ” (W. Somerset Maugham, Cakes and
Ale, 1930).
priests of Bacchus See bacchus.
primrose path An easy path of indulgence and
plea sure, especially one that leads to ruin. <strong>The</strong>
expression appears in two of William Shakespeare’s
plays, hamlet (c. 1600) and macbeth
(1606). He was a long way down the primrose path of
wine, women, and song before he realized how it
might end.
Prince Charming A male lover, especially one
who has various ideal qualities, such as charm,
good looks, and a lot of money. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to
the fairy tale cinderella, which ends with Cinderella
fi nally being united with her Prince
Charming, although similar idealized lovers—
sometimes identifi ed by the same name—appear
in other fairy tales, such as sleeping beauty and
snow white. She’s been on hundreds of blind dates,
but she’s still looking for her Prince Charming.
Prince of Darkness See satan.
prince of Denmark See hamlet.