after us the deluge en · X
Etymology
Calque of French après nous le déluge.
Meanings
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A nihilistic expression of indifference to whatever happens after one is gone.
‘After us the deluge,’ was retorted with a laugh: / ‘If bread's the staff of life, they must walk without a staff.’ / ‘While I've a loaf they're welcome to my blessing and the chaff.’
1861, Christina Rossetti, A Royal Princess:“How about, ‘After us the deluge,’” said Paul. “Hmm?” Doctor Pond tried to make sense of the quotation, seemingly decided that it was some archaic, pleasant sentiment for those who understood poetry, and smiled.
[1952, Kurt Vonnegut, Player Piano, page 152:
Synonyms
Translations (13)
no etter oss syndfloden (expression of indifference) · pl po nas choćby i potop (expression of indifference) · cmn 哪管洪水滔天 (expression of indifference) · cmn 我死之後，哪管洪水滔天 /我死之后 (expression of indifference) · lt po manęs nors ir tvanas (expression of indifference) · hu utánunk az özönvíz (expression of indifference) · nl na mij de zondvloed (expression of indifference) · fi meidän jälkeemme vedenpaisumus (expression of indifference) · pl po nas choćby potop (expression of indifference) · de nach mir die Sintflut (expression of indifference) · cs po mně potopa (expression of indifference) · ru по́сле на́с хо́ть пото́п (expression of indifference) · fr après nous le déluge (expression of indifference)