greek kalends
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
An expression signifying an indefinite period; never. Term used in making promises never intended to be carried out. The Greeks had no KALENDS.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “greek kalends” mean?
An expression signifying an indefinite period; never. Term used in making promises never intended to be carried out. The Greeks had no KALENDS.
Is “greek kalends” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.