How Do You Spell SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS?

Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ɪləɹ and kəɹˈɪbdɪz] (IPA)

Scylla and Charybdis is a Greek mythological tale, but the spelling of these names can be confusing. In the IPA phonetic transcription, Scylla is pronounced as /ˈsɪlə/ and Charybdis as /kəˈrɪbdɪs/. Notice that the "y" in Charybdis is silent, and the stress is on the second syllable. Furthermore, the "s" in Scylla sounds like a "z." With this knowledge, you can properly spell and pronounce these infamous sea monsters that challenged ancient Greek sailors.

SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS Meaning and Definition

1. Scylla and Charybdis, in Greek mythology, are two dangerous and mythical sea monsters mentioned in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. They are often used as metaphors or symbols of a situation involving choosing between two equally dangerous or harmful alternatives.

   Scylla was a six-headed monster with twelve feet and a body made of canine heads, described as a hideous creature living on a cliff overlooking a strait on the Italian side of the narrow passage near Sicily. Each of her six heads had three rows of sharp teeth, and she would snatch and devour sailors passing by her cliff. Scylla was considered an unavoidable menace, as she could never be appeased or negotiated with.

   Charybdis, on the other hand, was a huge whirlpool situated opposite Scylla, in the same strait. Described as a monstrous and insatiable creature, it would draw in and swallow massive amounts of water three times a day, causing a dangerous whirlpool that would destroy anything caught in its path. Ships attempting to avoid Scylla's wrath would be at risk of being sucked in by Charybdis.

   The phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis" has since become a common idiom used to describe a situation where a person is faced with two choices, both of which are equally perilous or harmful. It implies a dilemma where either choice will result in a negative outcome, forcing the person to choose the lesser evil.

Common Misspellings for SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS

• acylla and charybdis
• zcylla and charybdis
• xcylla and charybdis
• dcylla and charybdis
• ecylla and charybdis
• wcylla and charybdis
• sxylla and charybdis
• svylla and charybdis
• sfylla and charybdis
• sdylla and charybdis
• sctlla and charybdis
• scglla and charybdis
• schlla and charybdis
• sculla and charybdis
• sc7lla and charybdis
• sc6lla and charybdis
• scykla and charybdis
• scypla and charybdis
• scyola and charybdis
• scylka and charybdis

Idioms with the word SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS

• Scylla and Charybdis The idiom "Scylla and Charybdis" refers to being caught between two equally difficult or dangerous situations, where avoiding one means falling into the other. It comes from Greek mythology, where Scylla and Charybdis were sea monsters on either side of a narrow strait, posing a threat to sailors trying to navigate between them.
• between Scylla and Charybdis The idiom "between Scylla and Charybdis" refers to being caught between two equally dangerous or difficult situations, where avoiding one threat means encountering another. It is derived from Greek mythology, where Scylla and Charybdis were two sea monsters that guarded opposite sides of a narrow strait, presenting a perilous dilemma for sailors trying to navigate through.