Evie Summers
Sleeping with the fishes is a well-known idiom that means someone has been murdered and their body disposed of in a body of water. The phrase was likely popularized by the 1972 film The Godfather, in which the line Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes is uttered. However, the phrase may have originated much earlier, with some sources tracing it back to Homer's Iliad, where Achilles threatens Lycaon, son of Priam, who will sleep with the fishes. The phrase has become a cliché in popular culture, often used tongue-in-cheek in works of fiction featuring gangsters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sicilian message |
| First Appearance | Homer's Iliad |
| Popularized By | The Godfather |
| Meaning | To be dead, with one's corpse disposed of in a body of water |
| Example | "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes" |
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What You'll Learn
The phrase's use in *The Godfather*
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is popularized by the 1972 movie The Godfather. In the movie, the character Luca Brasi is said to be "sleeping with the fishes" after being strangled to death. This is noted by some viewers as a mistake by the screenwriters, as Brasi is dead, and not sleeping.
The phrase is first used in Homer's Iliad, in which Achilles threatens to kill Lycaon, son of Priam, who will "sleep with the fishes". The earliest known usage of the exact phrase is from 1833. The idea behind the phrase is that the body of the deceased is disposed of in a body of water, and left unburied, like an animal (fish).
The phrase is also used in the 1969 book on which the movie The Godfather is based. In the book, a large dead fish wrapped in a bulletproof vest is used to signify that a character is "sleeping on the bottom of the ocean". The character of Luca Brasi meets his end at the hands of a hitman, who strangles him with a garotte wire. This happens when Brasi is meeting with Bruno Tattaglia, son of Tattaglia boss Philip Tattaglia, at his Midtown bar with fish-decorated glass windows.
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The Iliad's use of the phrase
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is a well-known idiom that means to be dead, with the corpse disposed of in a body of water. While the phrase is most famously associated with the Sicilian Mafia in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and its film adaptation, its origins can be traced back to Homer's epic poem The Iliad.
In The Iliad, the phrase "sleeping with the fishes" appears in Book 21, where Achilles threatens Lycaon, the son of Priam, who will "sleep with the fishes". This phrase is significant as it emphasizes the brutality of the method of disposal, as the body would remain forever unburied, similar to the way fish remain unburied. This interpretation adds a layer of insult to the injury of death, suggesting that the deceased is no better than an animal.
The exact translation of the phrase in The Iliad has been a subject of debate. Some sources claim that Achilles grabbed Lycaon's foot and slung him into the river, implying that the phrase "sleeping with the fishes" refers to drowning or disposal in water. However, other sources suggest that the phrase may not have been translated into English until Thomas Hobbes' translation of The Iliad around 1676.
The use of the phrase in The Iliad highlights the ancient origins of the expression, dating back almost 3,000 years before The Godfather brought it to popular culture. While The Godfather may have contributed to the popularization of the phrase, particularly in works of fiction featuring gangsters, its roots in The Iliad demonstrate the enduring nature of certain expressions across different languages and time periods.
In summary, the phrase "sleeping with the fishes" in The Iliad serves as a stark reminder of the finality of death and the brutal treatment of the deceased, emphasizing the permanence of their unburied state and drawing a comparison to the natural state of fish in water.
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The meaning of the phrase
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is a well-known idiom that is often associated with the Sicilian Mafia and popularised by the 1972 film The Godfather, based on the 1969 book of the same name. In the film, the phrase is used to indicate that a person has been murdered and their body disposed of in a body of water, with the implication that they are sleeping at the bottom of the ocean.
The phrase is believed to have originated from Homer's The Iliad, where Achilles threatens Lycaon, son of Priam, who will "sleep with the fishes". This threat emphasises the brutality of the method, as the body would remain unburied, similar to that of an animal's.
The exact phrase "sleep with the fishes" first appeared in print in 1833, and it was likely in common use as early as the turn of the 19th century. However, the phrase's evolution is convoluted, and it may have existed even earlier, possibly dating back to the story of the Trojan War, almost 3,000 years before the book The Godfather.
Over time, the phrase has become a cliché in fictional works featuring gangsters, often used tongue-in-cheek rather than as a serious threat. Despite its popular association with The Godfather, the phrase's origins are much older and likely lie in the Mediterranean region.
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The origin of the phrase
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is a well-known idiom that is often associated with the Sicilian Mafia and popularised by the 1972 film The Godfather. However, its origins likely date back much further, with some sources tracing it back to Homer's Iliad, where Achilles threatens Lycaon, son of Priam: "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes".
The phrase is believed to have been in common use as early as the turn of the 19th century, but its roots may lie even further back, possibly in the story of the Trojan War. The earliest known usage of the exact phrase is from 1833.
In modern usage, the phrase is generally understood to mean that someone has been murdered and their body disposed of in a body of water, although traditionally it could also refer to death by drowning. The phrase is often used tongue-in-cheek or as a cliché in fictional works featuring gangsters, such as The Sopranos and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
The phrase's popularity in modern culture can be attributed to its use in The Godfather, where it is said that "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes", referring to a character's death and the disposal of their body in a body of water. This usage is consistent with the traditional meaning of the phrase, further reinforcing its association with death and disposal in water.
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Other sleep idioms
"Sleeping with the fish" is a phrase that originates from the Mafia and is often used in movies and TV shows to indicate that someone has been killed, usually by the Mafia. The phrase suggests that the person will end up at the bottom of the sea, sleeping with the fishes, implying that they have been murdered and their body disposed of in the water. This phrase has made its way into common usage and is often used jokingly or sarcastically to indicate that someone is in trouble or facing an unpleasant fate.
Now, here are some other idioms related to sleep:
"Sleep tight": This idiom is used to wish someone a good night's sleep. The phrase originates from the old beds that had ropes or straps across the frame to support the mattress. To "sleep tight" meant to have those ropes tightened so the mattress was firm and comfortable, ensuring a good night's rest. Today, it is simply a friendly way to say goodnight and wish someone pleasant dreams.
"Sleep like a baby": This phrase describes a deep, peaceful, and uninterrupted sleep. Babies are known for their ability to sleep soundly and peacefully, often in any position or location. So, if someone sleeps like a baby, they are sleeping calmly and are likely to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
"Sleep on it": This idiom suggests that a person should delay making a decision or taking action until the next day, after a good night's sleep. The idea is that a night's rest can provide a fresh perspective and clearer thinking, helping one make a more rational decision. It also implies that one should not make hasty decisions when tired, as one may not be thinking clearly.
"Sleep through a hurricane": This phrase describes someone who sleeps very deeply and soundly, to the point that they can sleep through loud noises or events that would typically wake others. A person who can sleep through a hurricane is a heavy sleeper and is unlikely to be disturbed by their surroundings.
"Sleep like a log": Similar to the previous idiom, this phrase describes someone who sleeps very soundly and deeply. A person who sleeps like a log is completely unconscious and unresponsive while sleeping, and may be difficult to wake up. They are deep sleepers who are unlikely to stir, no matter the noise or activity around them.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase 'sleeping with the fishes' is a euphemism for death, specifically when the deceased's body has been disposed of in a body of water.
The phrase likely originated from Homer's The Iliad, where Achilles threatens (and kills) Lycaon, son of Priam, who will 'sleep with the fishes'. The earliest use of the exact phrase is from 1833.
Yes, the phrase was popularized by the 1972 movie The Godfather, based on the 1969 book by Mario Puzo. In the movie, Luca Brasi 'sleeps with the fishes'.
Some other well-known sleep idioms include 'hit the hay', 'sleep like a log', 'let sleeping dogs lie', and 'waking up on the wrong side of the bed'.
No, the phrase has become a cliché in gangster fiction and is often used tongue-in-cheek rather than as a serious threat.
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