White elephant
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| + | # An [[albino]] elephant. | ||
| + | # An [[ornament]] etc that is [[unwanted]] or is a [[financial]] [[burden]]; an [[unprofitable]] [[investment]]. | ||
| + | <hr> | ||
| + | ''[[White Elephant Art vs. Termite Art]]'' | ||
| + | |} | ||
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| - | A '''white elephant''' is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness. | + | A '''white elephant''' is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose [[cost]] (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its [[usefulness]]. |
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| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | In [[Siam]] elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered [[sacred]] and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[White elephant gift exchange]] | ||
| + | * [[Bridge to nowhere]] | ||
| + | * [[Escalation of commitment]] (sunk cost fallacy) | ||
| + | * [[Pork barrel]] | ||
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A white elephant is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness.
[edit]
Etymology
In Siam elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin.
[edit]
See also
- White elephant gift exchange
- Bridge to nowhere
- Escalation of commitment (sunk cost fallacy)
- Pork barrel
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