Ladies and gentlemen 🎩, grab your popcorn 🍿 and settle in as we unravel the fabric of overused phrases!
A Cast of Thousands: 🎬
Meaning:
To refer to a great many people, a large crowd, often implying grandeur or largeness.
Origin:
This term emerged from Hollywood, particularly in the context of epic films like Ben-Hur (1926), which boasted an enormous cast. In a legendary anecdote, famed producer Samuel Goldwyn reportedly questioned the limited number of disciples in a portrayal of The Last Supper with, “‘Why only twelve [disciples]?’ ‘That’s the original number.’ ‘Well, go out and get thousands.’”
Similar Terms and Related Phrases:
- A Sea of Faces: A metaphor conveying a very large group, visually represented as an ocean.
- Hordes: A massive crowd of people, originally referring to nomadic tribes.
- Throng: A densely packed crowd of people.
- Legion: A large group, historically used to denote a unit in the Roman army but now implying vast numbers.
Synonyms:
Multitude, swarm, mass, host, multitude.
Antonyms:
Handful, few, scatter, trickle.
Humor and Wit:
“Attempting to find someone in a cast of thousands is like looking for a needle in a haystack made of needles.”
— Anonymous Mirth-Maker
Proverb Wisdom:
“A single flickering candle can guide a multitude in the dark.”
Literary & Cinematic References:
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Known for its immense list of characters and panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic era.
- Ben-Hur - The 1926 silent film epic known for its colossal cast and grand spectacle.
- Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - A novel encompassing myriad characters set against the backdrop of revolutionary France.
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - Featuring extensive characters and tackling Southern society during and post-Civil War.
- Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - Epic fantasy series with armies and expansive realms teeming with characters.
Inspirational Thought:
“In a cast of thousands, remember your unique path. Your role, no matter its size, contributes richly to the grand scene of life.”
Fare thee well, Word Voyager! 🌍 May you always find joy in the numerous words, expressions, and the delightful chaos they dwell within!
Quiz Time! 📝
Till next time, Happy Wordsmithing! 🌟
