White Elephant (animal) - Western Cultural References

Western Cultural References

The term "white elephant" came, in English, to mean a spectacular and prestigious thing that is more trouble than it is worth, or has outlived its usefulness to the person who has it. While the item may be useful to others, its current owner would usually be glad to be rid of it. By reason of this, commercially, a "white elephant" might be available to purchase at a very favorable price. An example of such an item might be a mansion whose maintenance costs exceed the capacity of its owners.

In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand a "white elephant stall" at a fair or market has unusual or miscellaneous items for sale that have been donated, as they were "white elephants" to their owners.