E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Epimen’ides (5 syl.).
A philosopher of Crete, who fell asleep in a cave when a boy, and did not wake again for fifty-seven years, when he found himself endowed with miraculous wisdom. (Pliny: Natural History.) (See RIP VAN WINKLE.)
1
“Like Epimenides, I have been sleeping in a cave; and, waking, see those whom I left children are bearded men.”—Bulwer Lytton (Lord Lytton).
