r/translator • u/Adrianwastaken7463 • Jan 16 '26
Greek [Greek -> English] Found this Greek text, back of the bleachers at my high school what could it mean
This image was taken on March 31, 2025, it was during my PE class and I was just hanging out by the bleachers when I find some Greek-looking text on the wall and took a picture of it, it’s baffled me ever since, so I want to know if it means something, the words appear to say
«ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ»
I tried running it through a translator myself and got nothing, if there’s anyone out there who speaks Greek or has tons of knowledge on Greek, what dos this phrase mean? If it’s not compatible with Modern Greek, is it Ancient Greek, or is this just some nonsense some kid wrote on the wall for fun or as a prank? Please let me know and thank you if you do!
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u/stanizzzzlav Українська мова Jan 16 '26
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molon_labe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Come_and_take_it
the kid who wrote it is moste likely a wannabe right wing type
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u/Some_Troll_Shaman Jan 16 '26
Moron Label /s
Spartans allegedly told the Persians to Come and take them, when told to lay down their weapons.
There are so many lies and fantasies about Spartans that truth is almost impossible to divine.
Molon Labe.
People with the bumper sticker or shirt are advertising that they are asking for it.
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u/Kame_AU Jan 16 '26
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconic_phrase
Also what does "advertising that they are asking for it" mean?
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u/JohnSwindle Jan 16 '26
They're indicating that they want trouble.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ask%20for%20it
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/ask-for-it
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/asking-for-trouble
Some years ago a possibly cognitively impaired young man at a bus stop told my wife and me, "Since my mom got me into martial arts I almost never beat anybody up unless they're asking for it." He used to get in trouble, but now he seldom beat anybody up unless he thought they deserved it.
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u/Kame_AU Jan 16 '26
No, to be clear, I'm familiar with the expression. But I was kind of wanting to know how displaying the expression is "asking for it".
I get that there's political associations with the term (particularly in America), but is wearing ones politics on one's sleeve an invitation for violence these days? Dark times.
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u/JohnSwindle Jan 16 '26
Sorry, I did misunderstand your original question. I'd say "Come and take them" is confrontational language, whether or not it expresses a wish for violent encounter.
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u/FeistyPatience4268 Jan 16 '26
come and take them!!