sour grapes
/ˈsaʊ.ər ɡreɪps/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ὄμφαξ — unripe grape
Overview
Meaning Now
- A psychological rationalization where an individual pretends they did not want something they failed to achieve because they believe it to be undesirable.
Literal older meaning
Unripe grapes that are tart and unpleasant to the taste.
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Middle English → Modern English
Earliest form
ὄμφαξ (omphax)
Earliest period
6th century BCE
Journey
The phrase is derived from Aesop's fable 'The Fox and the Grapes'. In the story, a fox sees high-hanging grapes and tries to jump for them; failing to reach them, he leaves, remarking that they were likely sour anyway. The concept is a classic example of cognitive dissonance.
Evolution
- 6th century BCE (Ancient Greek)
ὄμφαξ
“unripe grape”
Originating in Aesop's fable 'The Fox and the Grapes'.
- 14th century (Middle English)
sour grapes
“unripe fruit”
Used in biblical translations (Ezekiel 18:2).
- 18th century (Modern English)
sour grapes
“a defensive rationalization”
Became established as a psychological idiom.
Connections
Word parts
sour
root
acidic or fermented
grapes
root
fruit of the vine
Related across languages
French
raisin
grape
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Related to sour grapes
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.