general

definition of paragon

The origin of the term.- The word paragon comes from the Greek, specifically from the word parakonan, which means touchstone. A touchstone is an instrument (usually a pebble) that was formerly used to detect the authenticity of metals such as gold or silver.

The ancient alchemists used touchstones and called them paragon. In this way, a comparative operation was carried out with the paragon, since the touchstone or paragon was compared with a certain metal.

According to the result obtained, it was known which was the exact metal that was being examined

The use of the paragon among alchemists has disappeared because alchemy is no longer a discipline, but in jewelry laboratories a metal tool is still used to calibrate the qualities of minerals and this tool is called paragon.

When something cannot be compared to anything, it is said that it has no equal

Knowing the origin of the word and its use in the field of alchemy and jewelry, we can already better understand a very common phrase in everyday language: "not having perangón" or "something without parallel". An event is said to be unmatched when it has an extraordinary and unique character. The exceptionality of the event makes it impossible to compare it with anything else. Consider a soccer forward who manages to score seven goals in a championship final and at the end of the game a journalist comments that this achievement is unparalleled.

For something to be unmatched it must be very special and valuable in some way. In this way, to extol or emphasize certain heroic or unusual facts, they are said to be unparalleled, since they go beyond the ordinary.

Although the phrase "not to have a parallel" or "without a parallel" communicates that something is incomparable and exceptional at the same time

It must be borne in mind that this phrase is normally used in journalistic description and in order to convey information with striking language and this means that it can be used improperly (if a journalist affirms that the beauty of a sunrise is unparalleled is resorting to an exaggerated and very imprecise expression, since a single sunrise is hardly that exceptional).

Photos: iStock - Wicki58 / 1joe

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