featherless biped: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘featherless biped’ mean?
The idiom "featherless biped" refers to a human being. It signifies a creature that lacks feathers like birds but walks on two legs.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "knock someone down with a feather" means to greatly surprise or shock someone. The use of the feather emphasizes how unexpected or unbelievable the news or event is.
The idiom "in the buff" means being completely naked, without any clothing on.
An idiom that means something is extremely rare or difficult to find, as hens do not have teeth. It is often used to emphasize scarcity or rarity in a descriptive manner.
The idiom "heavy-footed" refers to someone who lacks grace and moves clumsily or loudly when walking or dancing.
The idiom "have legs" means that something has the potential to be successful or popular over a long period of time.
The idiom "go the way of the dodo bird" means to become extinct or disappear completely, like the dodo bird did several centuries ago. It implies that something or someone is on the path towards total disappearance or obsolescence.
The idiom "go the way of the dinosaurs" means to become extinct or obsolete, similar to how dinosaurs disappeared from the Earth millions of years ago.
An idiom used to describe someone leaving or departing. It implies a physical or metaphorical departure from a place or situation.
The idiom "fresh legs" refers to someone or something that is new or rejuvenated, providing a fresh perspective or energy.
Feathery Beings
A featherless biped is an idiom that refers to a human being. This idiom is a metaphorical representation of a human, combining the words "featherless" and "biped." The term "featherless" signifies the absence of feathers, commonly found in birds, while "biped" refers to a creature that walks on two legs.
This idiom can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. According to legend, Diogenes once saw a man plucking a chicken and exclaimed, "I see a featherless biped!" This incident is often credited as the moment when the term was first coined.
The idiom "featherless biped" has been used throughout history to highlight the unique characteristics of humans. It draws attention to our upright posture and lack of feathers, emphasizing the complexity and diversity of human existence.
In contemporary usage, the idiom "featherless biped" serves as a reminder of our shared humanity. It emphasizes our commonalities and encourages empathy and understanding.
Furthermore, the idiom can also be interpreted as a commentary on human vulnerability. By highlighting our nakedness in comparison to other creatures, it underscores our inherent fragility and exposure to the elements.
The idiom "featherless biped" captures the essence of what it means to be human. It underscores the unique characteristics and shared humanity of human beings. It invites contemplation about our vulnerability and our place in the world.
Now, let's explore how the idiom "featherless biped" is related to the idioms "feathered friend" and "cat-footed." Both idioms offer additional insights into the human experience.
The idiom "feathered friend" is often used to describe a bird or someone who is loyal and supportive. When considering this idiom in relation to "featherless biped," it highlights the contrast between humans and birds. While birds possess feathers, which enable their ability to fly, humans are characterized as featherless, underscoring our grounded nature. However, the concept of a "friend" remains a common thread between the two idioms, emphasizing the importance of relationships and companionship in the human experience.
On the other hand, the idiom "cat-footed" describes someone who is quiet and stealthy in their movements. When examining this idiom alongside "featherless biped," it draws attention to the different ways humans and cats navigate and interact with their surroundings. While cats are known for their stealthy movements, humans walk upright on two legs, showcasing our unique bipedal nature. This comparison highlights the diversity of species and the various ways in which living beings navigate the world.
The idioms "feathered friend" and "cat-footed" provide additional nuances to the understanding of the idiom "featherless biped." They bring attention to the relationships humans form and the different ways we interact with the world around us.
The idiom "featherless biped" is a metaphorical representation of a human being. It emphasizes our unique characteristics, shared humanity, and vulnerability. When considering how it relates to idioms such as "feathered friend" and "cat-footed," we gain further insights into the human experience, highlighting the importance of relationships and the diverse ways in which humans navigate the world.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom featherless biped can be used in a sentence:
1. "When the esteemed professor referred to humans as featherless bipeds, he was highlighting our unique characteristic of lacking feathers and walking upright on two legs."
2. "In the ancient philosophical discourse, Diogenes famously defined humans as featherless bipeds, emphasizing our distinguishing features as a species."
3. "The satirical cartoon portrayed politicians as featherless bipeds, symbolizing their vulnerability and showcasing them as ordinary individuals despite their powerful positions."
More "Birds" idioms
