His fears proved to be misplaced

Abstract

This entry goes into the meaning and use of the attribute lichý (odd). This attribute can evoke misleading interpretation, which does not relate only to the opposite of the attribute sudý (even). Such an interpretation is based on the symbolism of numbers, but the expression itself has paradoxically few to do with it. It comes of the Etymologic dictionary of Czech as well as of the Dictionary of Literary Czech. In old Czech lichý meant also deceitful, bad, trivial. Its present synonyms are inter alia unreal, unsubstantiated, false and its derivates are for example flatter, flatterer, flattery, flattered and even usury and usurer.