White Elephant Slang

White Elephant is a slang term used to describe an object, project, or investment that is considered to be more trouble than it is worth. It often refers to something that is costly to maintain, difficult to dispose of, or has little practical value despite its initial promise or expense.

It originates from the practice in Southeast Asia, where rare albino elephants were considered sacred and were often given as gifts to royalty. However, these elephants were expensive to care for and maintain, leading to the term “white elephant” being used to describe burdensome possessions.