epithets.....who knew?

So you've heard the phrase "dirty old man". I knew that the "dirty" part is an epithet. I don't actually remember learning the definition of epithet but if anyone had asked I would have said it was a slur against someone. ie...two-faced.

However, did you know that "Alexander the Great" is also an epithet?

Turns out an epithet is just a word that is used to describe someone or something and can clearly be either positive or negative.

Couple of rules: it is always a metaphor (never a simile) and ancient epic poetry (think Homer) is full of epithets.

It can even be a stand alone comment: ie...."Swine" (Miss Hannigan to Mr Warbucks -- this could've been a "who said it?")

It's going to take me a while to get used to the idea that calling someone a "peacemaker" is indeed an epithet.