Aesopian
adjective
-ˈsä-
Did you know?
Aesop’s fables are well-known. On the surface, they are entertaining stories, featuring animals who speak and act like humans. But they also have an underlying purpose, which is to teach a moral lesson. In the 20th century, Aesopian - which had previously meant simply "characteristic of Aesop or his fables" - took on an extended meaning. "Aesopian language" referred to the cryptic or ambiguous language authors used in subversive material, often to avoid censorship. This use originated in Russia with ezopovski, the Russian version of the term. Today, Aesopian occasionally means "having hidden meaning" without any implications of subversive political meaning or avoidance of censorship.
Cite this Entry
“Aesopian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Aesopian. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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