🙈 Not Know From Adam: The Origin and Oddity of Our Unseen Ancestor 👤
Ever walked into a crowd and not known a soul, feeling like you’re swimming through a sea of unfamiliar faces? That’s when you “not know someone from Adam.” The idiom humorously denotes a complete lack of recognition for a person you’ve encountered for the first time. But let’s dive into the mix-up of names and faces, shall we?
Meaning
“Not know from Adam” suggests being so unfamiliar with someone that you wouldn’t recognize them any more than humanity’s supposed first guy, Adam.
Origins
This idiom has biblical roots, with “Adam” referring to the first man created by God, making the saying quite ancient. Before Instagram and fingerprinting, Adam was probably quite the recluse, if you’re catching my drift.
Synonyms and Similar Expressions
- “Not know from a hole in the ground”
- “Stranger than fiction”
- “Clueless as a castaway”
- “Not a face in the crowd”
Antonyms
- “Know like the back of my hand”
- “Recognize in a heartbeat”
- “Old acquaintance”
Humorous Quotes
“I don’t know him from Adam. Although, amusingly, I wouldn’t know Adam either.” — Jill Jest
Related Proverbs
- “Familiarity breeds contempt.” — The more we know someone, the less impressive they seem, sometimes tied into recognizing familiar faces and losing interest.
- “A stranger is a friend you have yet to meet.” — Which could mean Adam might just be waiting to borrow your lawnmower.
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Literature: The Book of Genesis - Why not dig into the source material!
- Books: Who’s Who in the Bible by Joan Comay
- Songs: “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band - After all, you wouldn’t see Adam in a crowd!
- Poetry: “Strange Meeting” by Wilfred Owen - where many don’t know each other from Adam.
- Movies: Stranger Than Fiction - Funny how the concept of the unknown entwines into entertainments.
Remember, every stranger you meet can one day become a friend. And maybe soon enough, you’ll know them like the back of your hand—or at least not as merely as “from Adam.”
