Feet of clay

Posted by ESC on January 26, 2001

In Reply to: Feet of clay posted by marcus on January 26, 2001

: : : What is the meaning of the phrase "feet of clay"?

: : To find that somebody has feet of clay means to realize that the person is phony or at least fallible. The phrase originated with the idea of looking at a statue made of something wonderful, let's say gold, and then seeing with disappointment that the statue's feet were mere clay. I think some real statues or idols were involved; maybe somebody else can fill in the history here.

: : Not one to quote the Bible, may I suggest Daniel.

Daniel 2:31-33. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form there of was terrible. The image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and of clay.

Marcus. I want to compliment you on your wide-ranging knowledge of phrases -- from barroom phrase to the Bible.

• Feet of clay marcus 01/27/01