To call a spade a spade

To call a spade a spade

To "call a spade a spade" is to speak honestly and directly about a topic, specifically topics that others may avoid speaking about due to their sensitivity or embarrassing nature. Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1913) defines it as

Its ultimate source is Plutarch's "Apophthegmata Laconica" (178B) which has _gr. την σκαφην σκαφην λεγοντας. _gr. σκαφη means "basin, trough", but it was mis-translated as " _la. ligo" "shovel" by Erasmus in his "Apophthegmatum opus".
Lucian "De Hist. Conscr." (41) has _gr. τα συκα συκα, την σκαφην δε σκαφην ονομασων "calling a fig a fig, and a trough a trough".

The phrase was introduced to English in 1542 in Nicolas Udall's translation of Erasmus, "Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte saiynges. First gathered by Erasmus"::"Philippus aunswered, that the Macedonians wer feloes of no fyne witte in their termes but altogether grosse, clubbyshe, and rusticall, as they whiche had not the witte to calle a spade by any other name then a spade."

The OED records a more forceful variant, "to call a spade a bloody shovel", attested since 1919.

The phrase predates the use of the word "spade" as an ethnic slur, which was not recorded in usage until 1928; however, in contemporary U.S. society, the idiom is often avoided due to potential confusion with the modern racial slur [cite book
last = Quinion
first = Michael
authorlink = Michael Quinion
title = Port Out, Starboard Home: And Other Language Myths
publisher = Penguin Books Ltd.
date = 2004
pages = 60-62
isbn = 0140515348 ] .

Oscar Wilde in his novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (ch. XVII) decries realism in literature through Lord Henry's words:

The phrase also features in Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Ernest". Cecily declares "When I see a spade, I call it a spade" to which Gwendolen responds "I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade".

Notes


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • call a spade a spade — {v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. * /A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • call a spade a spade — {v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. * /A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • call a spade a spade — A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • call a spade a spade — ► call a spade a spade speak plainly and frankly. Main Entry: ↑spade …   English terms dictionary

  • call a spade a spade — phrasal : to give a thing its plain name even if considered offensive : speak plainly or bluntly without elaboration or euphemism * * * call a spade a spade To speak plainly without euphemism • • • Main Entry: ↑spade * * * call a spade a spade… …   Useful english dictionary

  • call a spade a spade — say it in plain language; the straight goods    Kris will report the facts. She s not afraid to call a spade a spade …   English idioms

  • call a spade a spade — to tell the truth about something, even if it is not polite or pleasant. You know me, I call a spade a spade and when I see someone behaving like an idiot, I tell them …   New idioms dictionary

  • call\ a\ spade\ a\ spade — v. phr. To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a spade …   Словарь американских идиом

  • call a spade a spade —    A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    A person who calls a spade a spade speaks… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • call a spade a spade — verb to speak the truth; to say things as they really are Maybe God just calls a spade a spade, when the president talks to God …   Wiktionary

  • call a spade a spade — speak bluntly He was calling a spade a spade when he began to criticize his employee for being lazy …   Idioms and examples

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