Proverbs in Harry Potter's wizarding world

Montag, 30. März 2015

Like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon

Cornelius Fudge proceeds to interrogate Harry and Dumbledore and finally finds prove for his suspicion in the list of participants of Dumbledore’s Army which has been discovered. Dumbledore pretends to be the one who has asked Harry to form this organisation in order to protect him from an expulsion which provides Fudge with the necessary confession to arrest Dumbledore: “‘Well, well, well – I came here tonight expecting to expel Potter and instead – ‘ ‘Instead you get to arrest me,’ said Dumbledore, smiling. ‘It’s like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon, isn’t it?’”[1]

This proverb finds its origin in the phrase ‘losing a quid and finding a fiver’. A quid is the colloquial expression for a pound whereas a fiver refers to a five pound note. It is used when someone wants to explain that he might have lost something or not been able to achieve something but has got something more valuable in turn and has, thus been more successful than he expected.[2]

The same applies in the wizarding world. While the Galleon is the most valuable coin and is made of gold, the Sickle is made of silver. 17 Sickles make a Galleon. The third coin is called Knut and is made of bronze. 29 Knuts make a Sickle which means that you have to exchange 493 Knuts in order to get one Galleon in return.[3] The enhancement in value between a Knut and a Galleon is, for that reason, enormous. This means, that the arrest of Albus Dumbledore has a much greater importance to Fudge than the simple expulsion of Harry Potter.

[1] Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix, p.546.

[2] https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080420015236AAWTPG7

[3] Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, p.58.

Galloping Gargoyles

In the fifth novel the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge is convinced that Albus Dumbledore is trying to take over the Ministry. He, thus, develops a paranoia which enforces his decision to find prove against Dumbledore and imprison him. Harry and some other students start a secret society called Dumbledor’s Army in which they learn to use defensive spells without Dumbledore’s knowledge. When one of the members of this group comes forward to report their actions to Fudge, postules appear on her face which she is trying to hide from the Minister: “’Well, come on, now, dear, look up, don’t be shy, let’s hear what you’ve got to – galloping gargoyles!’ As Marietta raised her head, Fudge leapt backwards in shock, nearly landing himself in the fire.”[1]

The exclamation ‘galloping gargoyles’ is added to the already existing ‘gulping gargoyles’. Once again this expression is used to mimic the reaction of the speaker. Gallop is defined as “to run rapidly by leaps”[2] and as already mentioned in the book Fudge’s reaction is to leap backwards as quickly as possible. In this magical world gargoyles might be able to move some of their body parts like their heads and arms but they are rooted to the spot and could not gallop away. ‘Galloping gargoyles’ is, thus, an antithesis.

[1] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, p.540.

[2] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gallop

Gold changed Hands

Mr Weasley who is working for the Ministry of Magic is surprised that a wizards accused of Muggle-baiting has been freed of all charges. He, thus, makes a conjecture: “‘Well, don’t ask me how, but he actually got off the toilet charge,[…]I can only suppose gold changed hands’”[1]

The idiom ‘money changed hands’ has been recreated a little differently in the wizarding community to say ‘gold changed hands’. Both phrases refer to the assumption that money has been “given from one person to another in payment for something, often in a dishonest way.”[2] This is widely known as bribery. Bribery is defined as “[t]he offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of his or her public or legal duties.”[3]

In the wizarding world the idiom refers to gold, which hints at an exchange of Galleons in return for a favour. In the case of Mr Weasley he suspects that the dropping of all charges has been enforced with the help of bribery. The Ministry of Magic has often been accused of being susceptible to deceptive practices which lead to a mistrust as portrayed by Mr Weasley

[1] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, p.433.

[2] Carleton-Gertsch, Louise, Idiomatic English in context: sicher im Ausdruck, Klett, Stuttgart 2008, p.45.

[3] http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/bribery

Sonntag, 29. März 2015

No room to swing a Kneazle

Hagrid continuous to talk about his adventures in the land of the giants and tells them that some of the giants had been hiding in a cave. Ron inquires whether there has been enough space for all of them. Thereupon Hagrid answers: “‘Wasn’t room to swing a Kneazle,’”[1]

The muggle proverb ‘no room to swing a cat’ is the blueprint for this wizarding proverb. The first time it has been used was in Medela Pestilentiae by Richard Kephale in 1665 where he wrote: “They had no space enough (according to the vulgar saying) to swing a Cat in.”[2] This shows that the phrase has already been used for some time to describe tiny rooms. Swinging a cat was, thus, meant literally.

Cats play an important role in the wizarding world. They have, however, been replaced by Kneazles which are magical creatures looking like cats apart from their outsized ears and bushy tails. Their supernatural powers are described in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: “The Kneazle has an uncanny ability to detect unsavoury or suspicious characters and can be relied upon to guide its owner safely home if they are lost.”[3] Compared to cats a Kneazle would probably sense the malevolent intentions of the person who is planning to swing it and could escape shortly before. Due to their similar size it makes, however, no difference whether a cat or a Kneazle is swung. The room is still too small to do so.

[1] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, p.383.

[2] Kephale, Richard. Medele Pestilentiæ,London, printed by J.C. for Samuel Speed, 1665. p.57

[3] Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, p.45.

Hold your Hippogriffs

After Hagrid’s return to Hogwarts Harry, Ron and Hermione go and visit him in his cottage. He tells them about his journey during which he was supposed to meet giants and convince them to support Dumbledore in his fight against Voldemort. He informs the three that Voldemort’s supporters – the Death Eaters - have been there as well. Hermione is quick to jump to the conclusion that the Death Eaters must have succeeded in their quest but Hagrid tells her, to hold her Hippogriffs, because he has not finished his story yet.[1]

Deriving from the proverb ‘hold your horses’ this phrase is “used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something.” It first appeared in Homer’s Iliad in which Antilochus is driving threateningly fast during a chariot race.[2] The exclamation ‘hold your horses’ thus, can be taken literally as an advice to be more cautious and not rush it. Its meaning has since then extended to include all actions and conclusions which should not be rushed. The first time it has been used as proverb was in 1844 in the New Orleans newspaper Picayune which wrote: “Oh, hold your hosses, Squire. There’s no use gettin’ riled, no how.”[3]

Once again horses have been substituted by Hippogriffs which are more popular within the wizarding community. Due to their height and strength Hippogriffs are as difficult to hold and control as horses. Even if Hermione had no knowledge of the phrase she could deduce the meaning of it due to Hagrid’s explanation that he has not finished his story yet.

[1] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, p.382.

[2] Homer. The Iliad, Book 23 (Lines 423-429) http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134%3Abook%3D23%3Acard%3D388

[3] https://idiomation.wordpress.com/tag/new-orleans-picayune/

What in the Name of Merlin

In her attempt to free as many house-elves as possible Hermione start knitting hats and socks which she intends to hide in the Gryffindor common room. By giving them clothes she tries to set them free. Ron is startled when he sees her knitting for the first time: “‘What in the name of Merlin are you doing’? said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.”[1]

This exclamation follows along the lines of the muggle phrase ‘what in God’s name’ or ‘what in the name of God’. These phrases are used to enhance what a person tries to express and is often used to convey displeasure and confusion.[2] God is the only being a person has to answer to in order to achieve forgiveness. As a result, the recipient of this exclamation must be doing something God would not approve of.

Once again the wizarding community replaces God with Merlin. They, thus, heightens his importance as the role model of witches and wizards. They might not have to answer to him after death but the statement makes clear that whatever a person is doing would not find Merlin’s approval. Knitting, as in Hermione’s case, would qualify as a disappointment since it’s a muggle activity due to the missing use of magic.

[1] Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. London: Bloomsbury, 2000, p.230.

[2] "Definition of God's Name." The Online Slang Dictionary. Web. 23.03.2015. <http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/in-god's-name>.

Poisonous toadstools don’t change their spots

Harry and Ron’s potions teacher Professor Snape who has always demonstrated great antipathy towards Harry joins the Order of the Phoenix. Harry, thus, expects Snape to treat him a bit better than usually since they are now connected in their fight against Lord Voldemort. Nevertheless, Professor Snape continuous to torment Harry which leads to Ron’s conclusion: “’Poisonous toadstools don’t change their spots’”[1]

This proverb has its origin within the bible and can be found in Jeremiah 13:23 where the prophet Jeremiah tries to persuade a vicious shepherdess to change and become good. His attempts are, however, unfruitful, whereupon he comes to the conclusion: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”[2] Just like a leopard that has no chance of changing his spots, a person cannot change his character even if he tried and pretended to have succeeded.

In the wizarding world the leopard has been replaced by poisonous toadstools. Just like the horse, a leopard has no magical powers and is, thus, unappealing to the wizarding community. This poisonous mushroom, however, plays an important role in Herbology and Potions classes. It is just as dangerous as leopards while both are covered with spots. This substitution is, for that reason, very fitting.

In his description of Snape Ron does not only refer to Snape’s negative treatment of Harry but also to his inclination towards the dark arts. The other members of the Order know of Snape’s past as supporter of Lord Voldemort but they have to trust in Dumbledore’s convincement of Professor Snape’s abjuration from his old master. Ron and Harry are, nonetheless, very suspicious. Ron is convinced that tormenting Harry and admiring the Dark Lord are character trades Severus Snape cannot get rid of even if he pretends otherwise.

[1] Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. London: Bloomsbury, 2000, p.212.

[2] King James Version, Jeremiah 13:23.