wandering Jew

Definitions

1. Any plant of three species of spiderworts, Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia fluminensis, and Tradescantia zebrina.
2. A Jewish shoemaker who, in Christian tradition, taunted Jesus Christ on the way to his (Jesus') crucifixion and for that was condemned to wander the Earth until Jesus' return (ie. the second coming).
3. Alternative letter-case form of wandering Jew (“plant”).
   alt-of
4. The plant Saxifraga stolonifera.

Equivalents

Examples

“The length of the stoppages could not well be reduced; indeed, they are already too short if we are to believe⟳ the tale now current of a wandering Jew sort⟳ of passenger—a lady of advanced years who can only alight from a train⟳ backwards. Every time she begins to get⟳ out a porter rushes up crying "Hurry⟳ up, ma'am; train's going!"—and pushes her in again!”

“GCN needs donations of plants to hang⟳ in its windows...Should be plants that like⟳ a bright but sunless northern exposure...plants that are happy hanging too; like⟳ ivies, wandering jews, spider plants, philodendrons, mother-of-thousands, what have⟳ you?? Cuttings O.K., need⟳ pots and a sprayer also.”

CEFR level