It's Greek to me
It's Greek to me means that something is too unfamiliar or complicated to understand; it appears in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Today, the phrase can describe anything baffling, from technical instructions to a difficult explanation, without referring to the Greek language itself.
Where it comes from
Casca cannot understand
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Casca uses the phrase when reporting that Cicero spoke Greek, which Casca could not understand.
In Act 1, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, after describing Antony’s repeated offers of a crown to Caesar, Casca answers Cassius’s question about Cicero. He reports that Cicero spoke Greek and that those who understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads, while Casca could not understand.
In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
What it means now
Today, the phrase usually means that a subject or explanation makes no sense to the speaker. The difficulty need not involve a foreign language.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice struggles to follow the Mock Turtle's account of his schooling, with its strange subjects and wordplay. Her confusion illustrates the kind of experience the phrase now describes.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
How to use It's Greek to me
- Name the subject or explanation that puzzles you.
- Use the phrase in an informal conversation.
- Ask for a simpler explanation if you need help.
Does it mean someone is actually speaking Greek?
No, it usually means that something is confusing or unclear. A confusing diagram, a legal document, or a lesson full of unfamiliar terms can all prompt the phrase. In Julius Caesar, however, Casca is describing speech in Greek.
Is it rude to say It's Greek to me?
It is usually a light, informal admission of confusion, not an insult. Still, it can sound dismissive to someone who has put effort into explaining something. Pairing it with a request for simpler words makes clear that understanding is the aim.
Related terms
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