Familiarity breeds contempt – a proverbial phrase that has been around for decades is used to describe how once we become familiar with something, it tends to become less appealing or respected. But have you ever wondered about the origin and true meaning of this age-old saying? In this article, we’ll explore just that.
Meaning
“Familiarity breeds contempt” is interpreted as the idea that the more we become familiar with someone or something, the more we tend to find faults in them, lose respect, and eventually dislike or even despise them altogether. The phrase is commonly used to refer to situations where people or ideas, once thought of highly, have lost their value over time.
Origin
The phrase’s exact origin is uncertain, with some attributing it to the Roman poet Publius Syrus in the 1st century BC, with others pointing to Aesop’s Fables tales from the 6th century BC, wherein he tells a story of a fox who, after failing to get grapes, decries its sourness. However, the phrase is most commonly traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 1300s, who wrote in his Canterbury Tales, “Familiarity engendreth [breeds] contempt.” The phrase has since been widely used by various writers, philosophers, and scholars over the centuries.
Significance
The phrase’s significance is that it highlights how naturally, humans tend to overlook the virtues they once admired and instead focus on the defects once they become familiar with something or someone. It can refer to situations between people and also to organisations, ideas, and beliefs. This phrase often rings true in personal relationships where people can mistake familiarity for monotony, leading them to look for excitement elsewhere.
Examples
The phrase is commonly used in day to day life. In the corporate world, this phrase refers to the workplace where colleagues may lose respect for each other, and familiarity takes away mutual admiration. For example, a freshly hired employee’s work may be heavily scrutinised than a senior’s, who might have been around for years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “familiarity breeds contempt” is an old-age saying that highlights the human tendency to overlook the virtues they once admired in something or someone once familiarity takes over. While the exact origin maybe disputable, this phrase continues to resonate with people across all industries and walks of life today. However, it is essential to recognise that familiarity alone does not breed contempt; rather it is our attitudes that define how we respond to something we are already familiar with.
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