Matthew 20:21

Left: Disguised as "Good Name"

εὐώνυμος meaning "well named" was not actually favorable or good, but the term εὐώνυμος was used to pretend it was, through euphemism. In classical Greek, the proper word for "left" is ἀριστερός (aristeros). This word is used without the euphemistic connotations associated with εὐώνυμος ("of good name"). While εὐώνυμος was often used to avoid the negative connotations of "left," ἀριστερός is the straightforward term for the left side, often used in practical contexts, such as directions, body parts, and positioning.

• ἀριστερός in Homer, Herodotus, and other classical authors simply refers to the left-hand side or direction.
• It could describe something on the left side of the body or on the left wing of an army formation.

In contrast, δεξιός (dexios) refers to the "right" side and often had positive connotations, such as being associated with strength, favor, or good omens. Hence we do not render the word εὐώνυμος as "left".

To translated it literally "good-named" doesn't capture the euphemism.

An accurate translation would be something like "ominous (but called favorable)" or "ill-omened (euphemistically termed favorable)." This would convey the fact that the omen was actually inauspicious, but the term εὐώνυμος was used to disguise it as something positive.

Other translations could be:

• "Unlucky (called favorable)"
• "Ill-omened (euphemistically termed auspicious)"
• "Sinister (but named well)"