To accuse something of being a white elephant is to label it a burden to those who possess it. The story of its origin is a distant and colorful one. Back in the days when Thailand was known as Siam, white elephants were highly prized animals. Whenever one was found it was automatically given to the king. Not only that, but it was considered a serious crime to neglect or mistreat a white elephant; in fact, even riding it was an offence. As a result, the maintenance of these rare animals was extremely expensive, especially as they couldn't be put to work of any kind. The wily king, whenever faced with an especially obnoxious courtier, would give the unsuspecting subject a white elephant as a special royal ‘gift’. Such a present could, naturally, not be refused, and the care for the animal would usually ruin its new owner financially. The phrase found its way onto English shores in the mid-eighteenth century after the Empire builders brought it home with them. It...
