Well attestedNamed from the place
Gordian knot
noun · first attested 16th century
The knot was tied in a Phrygian capital.
A problem solved only by abandoning the usual approach.
Record
- Relationship
- Named from the place
- Confidence
- Well attestedThe place link is the standard scholarly account.
- Attested
- 16th century
- Part of speech
- noun
Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.
- Step 1
Gordion
- In English
Gordian knot
An intricate knot at Gordion was said to await whoever would rule Asia. Alexander cut it, which is why the phrase means what it means.
Turkey
All 22 entries 21 more words from Turkey
turquoiseThe gem is named for the country it was traded through, not where it formed.İstanbulsolecismA grammar error is named for a city whose Greek sounded wrong to Athens.SoloimeanderA winding path is named for a river in Anatolia.Büyük MenderesangoraThe wool carries the old name of Ankara.AnkarabezantThe coin carries the same old name as the adjective.IstanbulByzantineThe word for bureaucratic tangle is an old name for Istanbul.IstanbulcasabaThe melon is named for a town in western Turkey.TurgutluciliceThe hair shirt is named for a region of southern Anatolia.Cilicia