Embarrassment of Riches
Encyclopedia
An embarrassment of riches is an idiom
that means an overabundance of something, or too much of a good thing, that originated in 1738 as John Ozell
's translation of a French
play
, L'Embarras des richesses (1726), by Léonor Jean Christine Soulas d'Allainval.
Example: "All four of them have their own cars but there's no room in the driveway—an embarrassment of riches".
The idiom is also the title of other works:
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
that means an overabundance of something, or too much of a good thing, that originated in 1738 as John Ozell
John Ozell
John Ozell was an English translator and accountant who became an adversary to Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope.He moved to London from the country at around the age of twenty and entered an accounting firm, where he was successful in managing the accounts of several large entities, including the...
's translation of a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
, L'Embarras des richesses (1726), by Léonor Jean Christine Soulas d'Allainval.
Example: "All four of them have their own cars but there's no room in the driveway—an embarrassment of riches".
The idiom is also the title of other works:
- The Embarrassment of Riches, a 1918 drama filmDrama filmA drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
- Embarrassment of Riches (EP)Embarrassment of Riches (EP)Embarrassment of Riches is an 6-song "albumette" by Elephant Micah which was released September 29, 2006 on Micah's own LRRC label. The record was unveiled at a record release party at Micah's alma mater, Earlham College...
, a 2006 music album by Elephant MicahElephant MicahElephant Micah is a musical band or stage name of southern Indiana songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joseph O'Connell. Recording mostly at home, O’Connell has produced an eclectic body of work since beginning the project in 2000... - The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden AgeThe Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden AgeThe Embarrassment of Riches: An interpretation of Dutch culture in the Golden Age is a book by the historian Simon Schama. It was published in 1987, five years after the bicentenary of the Dutch recognition of the young United States. The book sold quite well and led to an immediate second...
, a history book by Simon SchamaSimon SchamaSimon Michael Schama, CBE is a British historian and art historian. He is a University Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University. He is best known for writing and hosting the 15-part BBC documentary series A History of Britain... - An Embarrassment of RichesAn Embarrassment of RichesAn Embarrassment of Riches is a 2000 novel written by Filipino novelist Charlson L. Ong. A Second Place Philippine Centennial Literary Prize winner, the novel was published in Quezon City, Philippines by the Philippine Centennial Commission, the University of the Philippines Press, and the UP...
a 2000 novel written by Filipino author Charlson Ong