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White elephant

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A possession that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment. figuratively

    "South Australia's "white elephant" was really going to prove a valuable possession after all!"

  2. 2
    albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia wordnet
  3. 3
    Clipping of white elephant exchange. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping
  4. 4
    a valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive wordnet
  5. 5
    Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see white, elephant.

Etymology

In Siam, elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin.

See also for "white elephant"

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