- A possession that is useless, burdensome, expensive to maintain, and difficult to get rid of.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the legend of the kings of Siam (now Thailand).
- White elephants were considered sacred and rare. If the king was displeased with a courtier, he might gift them a white elephant.
- The recipient was obligated to care for the sacred animal, which was extremely expensive, but couldn't put it to work or easily dispose of it, leading to their financial ruin.
- Thus, it represents an unwanted gift or possession that causes more trouble than it's worth.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Money pit (Focuses on the expense)
- A lemon (Specifically for a faulty vehicle or product)
- Useless junk (More general, less specific)
- Dead weight (Something useless that hinders progress)
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, informal to formal.
- Often used in discussions about large projects, expensive purchases, or inherited items.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might be confused by the literal image. The key is the combination of uselessness, cost/burden, and difficulty of disposal, stemming from the origin story.
- Also distinct from a white elephant sale/gift exchange, which is a type of party game involving impractical or humorous gifts.
Examples
- The huge, old mansion he inherited became a white elephant; the taxes and upkeep were bankrupting him.
- That expensive exercise machine I never use is a total white elephant.
- The city built a massive stadium for the Olympics, but now it's a white elephant that rarely gets used.
Dialogue
Person A: Remember that giant inflatable pool my neighbor bought last summer?
Person B: Yeah, the one that took up their whole yard?
Person A: Exactly. They used it twice. Now it's just sitting in their garage, a total white elephant. They don't know how to store it or get rid of it.
Person B: Ha! I can imagine.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Trying to sell this giant antique wardrobe. It's beautiful but a total white elephant in my tiny apartment. #forsale #antique #help
- News Article Snippet: ...critics argue the proposed high-speed rail line could become a costly white elephant for taxpayers.
- Blog Post: Decluttering Tips: How to Finally Get Rid of Your Household White Elephants.
Response Patterns
- Oh no, what are you going to do with it?
- Can you sell it?
- Yeah, those things can cost a fortune to maintain.
- Why did they get/build it in the first place?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After something is described as a white elephant:
- Asking about the costs or problems associated with it.
- Inquiring about plans to dispose of it (sell, donate, demolish).
- Discussing the initial decision that led to acquiring the burdensome item.
Conversation Starter
- Can be used to start a conversation when pointing out a burdensome object or project. Do you think the new convention center might become a bit of a white elephant for the city?
Intonation
- Neutral pronunciation, often with emphasis on white.
- WHITE elephant.
Generation Differences
- Generally understood, though perhaps slightly less common among very young generations unless they encounter it through reading or specific contexts (like white elephant gift exchanges).
Regional Variations
- Common in most English-speaking regions.