What Does “it’s all Greek to me” mean?
Definition:
The phrase it’s all Greek to me is an idiom in English, referring to something that is not understandable.
The idiom is used in 1599 in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, as spoken by Servilius Casca to Cassius after a festival in which Caesar was offered a crown:
CASSIUS: Did Cicero say any thing?
CASCA: Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASSIUS: To what effect?
CASCA: Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.(William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (1599))
See more about this expression on Wikipedia
Other variations of this idiom:
- It’s Greek to me
- That’s Greek to me
- It’s Chinese to me
Example(s)
1. I’ve read this book but it’s all Greek to me.
2. My friend tried to explain to me how to use a new software he had developed, but it was all Greek to me.
