The Greek literature and mythology are rich in characters whose predominant traits are linked to their name. Nowadays, we use the names of these heroes as adjectives to describe a person with the same traits. In this post, there is a list of the most common names. The examples are written in colloquial Greek and cannot be literally translated.

 

#1.Ψωροκώσταινα (Psorokostena): It was is the nickname of Panoraia (Πανωραία), a rich woman who actually lived in Minor Asia. In 1821, after her husband and children were killed by the Turks, she ended up in Nafplion and worked as a washerwoman. Although she was very poor, she spent the little money she earned to protect the orphan children whose fathers had died fighting the Turks. In 1826, there was a fund raising to support the besieged people of Missolonghi. The Greeks were poor and hesitated to offer money. Ψωροκώσταινα was the first to give her only assets, a ring and a coin, motivating the others to contribute.

Nowadays, the term Ψωροκώσταινα  is used to describe Greece as an impoverished country.

Example: Όλοι οι νέοι επιστήμονες φεύγουν αφού δεν υπάρχει μέλλον στην Ψωροκώσταινα. / All the young scientists migrate since there is no future in poor Mother Greece.

#2.Καραγκιόζης (Karagiozis, Karagöz in Turkish):  The hero of the Turkish and the Greek Shadow Theater. He is seedy, lazy, witty and funny. We use this name to describe a person who plays the fool, or as a derogatory term of address.

Examples:

1. Γιαννάκη κάθισε στη θέση σου και σταμάτα να κάνεις τον καραγκιόζη! / Yannaki, sit down and stop playing the fool!
2. Τι κάνεις, ρε καραγκιόζη; Πας καλά; / What are you doing, you fool? Are you insane?

#3.Βεληγκέκας: He is a character of the Shadow Theater. He was the pasha’s adjutant who used to bully and to beat up Karagiozis. He represents the executive power. It is used to describe a rude and hot-tempered man.

Example:

Ο καινούριος προϊστάμενος έχει τη φήμη βεληγκέκα. Τσακώνεται συνέχεια με το προσωπικό ειδικά όταν ζητάνε άδειες.  / They say about the new chief that he’s a toughie. He constantly argues with the stuff, especially when they ask for a time off.

 

#4.Γερο-Λαδάς (gero-Ladas): Old Ladas is a character form Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel Christ Recrucified (Ο Χριστός ξανασταυρώνεται).  Ηe is a wealthy old man who leaves in poverty because he doesn’t want to spend his money. We use it to refer to a stingy person.

Example:

– Τα ‘μαθες; Η γυναίκα του Γιάννη είναι άρρωστη κι εκείνος δε φωνάζει γιατρό. «Δεν έχει τίποτα» λέει.  / Did you hear what happened?  John’s wife is ill and he didn’t call the doctor. “She’s ok” he says .

– Ρε την καημένη τη γυναίκα… Ε, δεν τον ξέρεις τι γερολαδάς είναι;  / Poor woman… He’s such a penny pincher.

 

#5.Εξηνταβελόνης:  this is another name for a stingy person. Εξηνταβελόνης is a comedy written ιν 1816, by the scholar  Konstantinos Economou (Κωνσταντινος Οικονομου), a representative of the Neo-Hellenic Enlightment. Εξηνταβελόνης, whose name literally means “sixty needles” (εξήντα βελόνες), was a rich widow who lived in Smyrna. He deprived his children and servants from the basics needs, even food, in order to increase his assets.

Example:

• Η Μαρία είπε ότι θα κάνει πάρτι για τα γενέθλιά της. / Maria said she will have a birthday party.
• Σιγά μην κάνει πάρτι η εξηνταβελόνα… Κάθε χρόνο τα ίδια λέει. / Like hell she will… She’s so cheap. Every year she says the same thing.

#6.Κέρβερος: Cerberus was a mythical dog of Hades and guarded the gates of the underworld. It is used to mean a cruel and strict person, usually a parent or a teacher.

Example:

Η δασκάλα μας είναι κέρβερος. Στο μάθημά της δεν ακούγεται κιχ! / Our teacher is really strict. There’s not even a single whisper heard during the lesson.

#7.Νάρκισσος:  in Greek mythology, Narcissus was a handsome young man who fell in love with his own idol after he saw his reflection on a pool. In psychology νάρκισσος is used to describe a person suffering by narcissistic personal disorder.

Example:

Η σχέση με έναν νάρκισσο είναι ολέθρια. / The relationship with a narcissist is devastating.