Have you found yourself repeating an advertising jingle? Those short, catchy, rhythmic, and memorable slogans grow on you. It’s almost impossible to forget some of them.
I bet you can complete the following jingle. Nationwide…Yep, “Nationwide is On Your Side.”
Through the years, jingles come and go. I haven’t heard the jingle “Trust the Midas Touch” for a while. The idiom, or saying, is a part of the Midas Automotive Repair Company’s advertisement for quality repair service and reliability.
I recently ran across the Midas idiom while reading a newspaper article, and the phrase stirred my curiosity.
People used to say, “You got the Midas Touch.” What does that mean?
What exactly is the Midas Touch, and what’s its origin?
The Midas Touch is an intrinsic ability. You either have it or you don’t.
The Midas Touch is magical!
Most dictionaries define the Midas Touch as the ability to make money or make something successful. Maybe it’s the result of one’s fantastical or charismatic skill. Instead of having a green thumb that makes things grow, an individual has a gold one, which produces profits and successful results.
In other words, they can’t lose with the touch they use. Whether it’s a gold finger or a thumb, the Midas Touch is all about money and success.
I can’t say I have this rare and special touch or gift. But I will say to people with such a touch, “It must be nice!”
But the one person who would beg to differ about the niceness of it was Midas himself.
Mr. T might say, “I pity the fool!” But I’ll let you be the judge of that after hearing the tale.
The Midas Touch idiom or saying is steeped in Greek mythology. Midas refers to the king of ancient Phrygia, which is present-day Turkey. According to Greek myth, Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, revelry, and more, granted one wish to King Midas for his hospitality and kindness to one of Dionysus’ companions.
Although King Midas lived lavishly in a castle with his beloved daughter, he could ask for anything he desired. King Midas loved gold; he would count his money days at a time. So, he asked Dionysus to grant his wish that everything he touched turned to gold. Although Dionysus cautioned him about such a wish, the king would not be deterred. His wish was granted, and it came true the next day.
Oh, happy day! Everything King Midas touched turned to gold: his table, carpet, door, chair, and food. When he greeted and hugged his daughter, she became a gold statue.
Oops! I’ll say!
The king realized his touch was a source of misery; gold no longer made him happy. His obsession and avarice for gold had ruined his life.
This isn’t the end of the story because he requested Dionysus to reverse the wish or curse.
Once again, Dionysus granted his request.
What Midas thought would make him happy made him hopeless.
Be careful what you wish for!
Having the Midas Touch isn’t all that! Having a loving touch is better than gold. You be the judge.
Be well.