E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Riddle.
Josephus relates how Hiram, King of Tyre, and Solomon had once a contest in riddles, when Solomon won a large sum of money; but he subsequently lost it to Abde’mon, one of Hiram’s subjects.
1
Riddle. Plutarch states that Homer died of chagrin because he could not solve a certain riddle. (See SPHINX.)
2
Father of riddles. So the Abbé Cotin dubbed himself, but posterity has not confirmed his right to the title. (1604–1682.) (See REE.)
