sour grapes

S

sour grapes (idiom)
/ˌsaʊər ˈɡreɪps/

The idiom “sour grapes” is a widely recognized expression in the English language, used to describe the act of disparaging something one desires but cannot attain, often as a means of rationalizing failure or disappointment. Its vivid imagery and moral undertone have made it a staple in both casual and literary discourse.

Meanings

• Pretending not to want something because it cannot be had.
• Bitter feelings or resentment due to a lack of success or failure.
• The act of criticizing something as a result of envy or jealousy.
• Belittling or criticizing something after failing to get it.
• Showing resentment that is disguised as indifference.
• (Literal) Grapes that taste sour or unripe.

Synonyms: bitterness; resentment; envy; jealousy; disparagement.

Example Sentences

1. After losing the match, his comment that the game was unfair sounded like sour grapes.
2. She claimed she didn’t want the award anyway, but her reaction seemed like a classic case of sour grapes.
3. She said the promotion wasn’t worth it anyway, but her tone revealed sour grapes.
4. His dismissal of the award as meaningless was pure sour grapes.
5. The farmer tossed away the basket because they were sour grapes. (literal)

Origin and History

The phrase “sour grapes” originates from one of Aesop’s Fables, specifically “The Fox and the Grapes,” attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop, who is believed to have lived around 620–564 BCE. In this fable, a fox, unable to reach a cluster of grapes hanging high on a vine, walks away and declares them sour, implying they were not worth having. This narrative encapsulates the human tendency to devalue what is unattainable, giving rise to the idiomatic expression. The fable’s moral has been interpreted as a critique of rationalizing failure or masking envy, a theme that resonates across cultures. While the fable is Greek in origin, the phrase itself emerged in English, with scholars noting its metaphorical use solidifying in the mid-18th century. The term draws directly from the fable’s imagery, with “sour” reflecting the fox’s dismissive judgment and “grapes” symbolizing the unattainable object of desire.

Historical Context and Cultural Adaptations

The fable “The Fox and the Grapes” has been retold and adapted across various cultures, influencing the idiom’s spread. In addition to the Greek versions, a Latin version by Phaedrus (circa 15 BCE–50 CE) explicitly states, “Oh, you aren’t even ripe yet! I don’t need any sour grapes,” reinforcing the phrase’s core meaning. Over time, translations and retellings, such as those by Aphra Behn (1687) and Walter Crane (1887), maintained the fable’s essence while embedding the idiom in English literature. In other languages, similar expressions exist, often substituting grapes with local fruits, such as rowanberries in Scandinavian versions or cherries in 12th-century European texts, reflecting cultural adaptations of the concept. Biblical references in Jeremiah 31:29 and Ezekiel 18:2, which mention “sour grapes” in a literal sense, are not considered direct sources for the idiom, as their context lacks the metaphorical connotation of Aesop’s fable.

Country of Origin

The idiom “sour grapes” in its modern English form likely originated in England, where the earliest printed records of the fable and its associated phrase appear. While the fable itself is of Greek origin, the phrase’s idiomatic use in English emerged through translations and literary adaptations in England. The earliest documented use of the phrase in English literature points to England as the country where it first gained traction as an idiom, particularly through the influence of translated works of Aesop’s fables in the late medieval and early modern periods.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known printed record of the phrase “sour grapes” in English, in its idiomatic sense, appears in William Caxton’s 1484 translation of Aesop’s fables. Caxton, England’s first printer, published The Fables of Aesop in 1484, where the phrase is recorded as, “The fox said these raisins be sour.” This translation, one of the earliest English renditions of the fable, uses “raisins” instead of “grapes,” likely due to linguistic or cultural preferences at the time, but the context clearly aligns with the modern idiom. The work was published in London, though an exact date within 1484 is not specified in surviving records. Caxton’s translation played a pivotal role in disseminating Aesop’s fables in England, cementing the phrase’s place in the English language.

Origin Conclusion

The idiom “sour grapes” is an enduring expression rooted in Aesop’s ancient Greek fable, adapted into English through centuries of literary tradition. Its etymology is tied to the fable’s narrative, with England serving as the likely point of origin for its idiomatic use in the English language. The earliest printed record, found in William Caxton’s 1484 translation of The Fables of Aesop, marks a significant milestone in the phrase’s history. By tracing its origins, adaptations, and documented appearances, we gain insight into how a simple fable has shaped a powerful linguistic tool for describing human behavior across time and cultures.

Variants

• sour-grapes attitude
• sour-grapes remark
• display of sour grapes
• it’s just sour grapes
• cry over sour grapes
• the fox and the grapes

Feeling, Fruits