弥诺陶洛斯迷宫传说

Now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in everyday conversation.

Today we are going to talk about mysteries. And, more importantly, how to solve them. So, what are the keys to solving a mystery? If you said clues, you are right.

Clues are pieces of information that help you find an answer. The word "clue" has an origin story that may surprise both native English speakers and those learning English.

The origin of the word combines a Greek myth, a labyrinth, danger and knitting. That's right, knitting!

But first, let's start with the myth. In this story, a monster called the Minotaur lived in a labyrinth on the island of Crete.

From time to time, people were sent inside the labyrinth as sacrifices. They could not find their way out, and the Minotaur killed and ate them.

Except for one man. As the story goes, Theseus volunteered to go into the Minotaur's labyrinth.

But before going in, Theseus unraveled a ball of yarn. He battled the Minotaur and killed it. Then he followed the yarn back to the opening of the labyrinth and came out alive.

You may be saying to yourself, "That is a great story. But what does it have to do with the word 'clue'"? Well, in the 1590s, a ball of yarn was called a clew, spelled c-l-e-w.

Because of this Greek myth about Theseus -- and possibly other stories, too, the meaning of "clew" began to change.