Definition

Noun: 1. A legendary figure: A mythical person, often identified as a Jew, who is said to have been condemned to wander the earth until the Second Coming for an offense against Jesus Christ, such as mocking him on the way to the Crucifixion. 2. A common name for plants: (Note: This is a separate, common usage for specific plants, listed under 'Variants and Related Words' as it is a compound term using the target phrase.)

Examples of Usage

• According to the medieval legend, the Wandering Jew can never die and must walk the earth until the end of time.
• The tale of the Wandering Jew has been used in literature as a symbol of eternal exile and restlessness.

Advanced Usage

• The figure is often used metaphorically to describe someone who seems rootless, perpetually traveling, or spiritually lost.
  • After the war, he became a kind of Wandering Jew, never settling in one city for more than a year.

Variants and Related Words

• Wandering Jew (as a plant name): A common name for several species of trailing plants in the genus and , known for their vigorous growth and ability to root easily. This usage is considered informal and potentially offensive by some due to its origin in the antisemitic legend.
  • She has a pot of Wandering Jew on her balcony.

Synonyms

• The Eternal Jew
• Ahasuerus (a name often given to the figure in some versions of the legend)

Related Idioms

• While not a phrasal verb, the term itself functions as a cultural idiom representing the concept of eternal wandering, punishment, and homelessness.
  • His life of constant travel made him feel like the Wandering Jew.

Noun

1. a legendary Jew condemned to roam the world for mocking Jesus at the Crucifixion