The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A FOX WHO SAW SOME GRAPES ON A VINE
ABOVE HIS HEAD. HE JUMPED, TRYING TO GET THEM, BUT FELL SHORT.
AFTER REPEATED UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS, HE SULKED OFF SAYING, "THEY
WERE PROBABLY SOUR ANYWAY." THIS IS THE ORIGIN OF THE EXPRESSION
"SOUR GRAPES," APPLIED TO SOMEONE WHO DEGRADES SOMETHING HE WANTS
BECAUSE HE CAN'T GET IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1968