forked tongues

Bart Ehrman behrman at email.unc.edu
Thu Feb 17 10:55:23 EST 2000


   Didache 2:4 reads: OUK ESHi DIGNWMWN OUDE DIGLWSSOS.  PAGIS GAR
QNANATOU hH DIGLWSSIA.  This translates into something like: "you shall
not be of two minds nor xxx; for xxx is a snare of death."

   I'm trying to come up with an English phrase for DIGLWSSOS/DIGLWSSIA.  
I don't much like keeping the parallel with "two minds" by saying "two
tongued (or double-minded/double-tongued)."  I could use
"equivocate/equivocation," but that gets rid of the metaphor.

   What would you think of my using "forked tongue," as follows: "You
shall not be of two minds nor speak with a forked tongue.  For a forked
tongue is a snare of death" ?

   I must admit, it vaguely reminds me of a Smothers Brothers routine I
used to listen to as a kid; but otherwise I kind of like it.  But is it a
phrase people still understand?

-- Bart Ehrman
   University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill





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