Concept in Definition ABC

The origin of the term.- The word paragon comes from the Greek, specifically from the word parakonan, which means touchstone. A touchstone is an instrument (usually a pebble) that was formerly used to detect the authenticity of metals such as gold or silver.

The ancient alchemists used touchstones and called them paragon. In this way, a comparative operation was carried out with the paragon, since the touchstone or paragon was compared with a metal determined.

According to the result obtained, it was known which was the exact metal that was being examined

The use of the paragon among alchemists has disappeared because alchemy is no longer a discipline, but jewelry laboratories continue to use a tool of metal to calibrate the qualities of the minerals and this tool receives the denomination of paragon.

When something cannot be compared with anything it is said that it is unmatched

Knowing the origin of the word and its use in the field of alchemy and jewelry, we can already better understand a very common phrase in the

language everyday: "not having a perang" or "something unparalleled". It is said that a event It is unmatched when it has an extraordinary and unique character. The exceptionality of the event makes it impossible to compare it with anything else. Let's think of a soccer forward who in a championship final manages to score seven goals and at the end of the game a journalist comments that this achievement It is unmatched.

For something to be unmatched it must be very special and valuable in some way. In this way, to extol or emphasize certain heroic or unusual facts, they are said to be unparalleled, since they go beyond the ordinary.

Although the phrase "not to be compared" or "without parallel" communicates that something is incomparable and exceptional at the same time

It must be borne in mind that this phrase is normally used in the description journalistic and in order to transmit information with a striking language and this makes it possible be misused (if a journalist claims that the beauty of a sunrise is unparalleled it is resorting to a expression exaggerated and very imprecise, since a single sunrise is hardly so exceptional).

Photos: iStock - Wicki58 / 1joe

Topics in Parangón