What does Call a spade a spade mean?

Answer 1

'Calling a tub a tub' was the ancient Greek way to express this idea of calling a common simple thing by its simple common name. So it really just meant to speak plainly or talk straight and still does.

But one and the same Greek word skaphos meant both primarily a tub or skiff, and secondarily a spade or shovel. (The same basic idea of a hollowed object split into two distinctly different notions in English.)

When John Knox mistranslated this expression and replaced the more common word tub with the less common word spadearound 1550 it stuck.

Answer 2

This phrase goes back to Greek text at least as early as 300BC and doesn't have racist origins. John Knox introduced it into English when translating a Latin text by Erasmus. "I have learned to call wickedness by its own terms: A fig is a fig and a spade a spade."

It means "to speak plainly or bluntly; to avoid euphemism."

Answer 3

The phrase "to call a spade a spade" was introduced in 1542 by Nicholas Udall, in his translation of Erasmus, "Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte saiynges". It means to speak directly about a topic, without considering that the topic might be embarassing or of a sensitive nature to others.

This usage is older than the use of the term "spade" as an ethnic slur against African-Americans, however, the phrase is generally avoided due to the possible confusion with the slur.

Answer 4

Call a spade a spade. It just means to tell it like it is. Don't use euphemisms.

Answer 5

Do not call a man confused in his priorities, call a spade a spade.

by- Nikhil yadav

Answer 6

Greece