Why does "Black sheep" mean prodigal?

1. In English, the idiom black sheep is used to describe out-of-place or notorious members of a group, especially a family. This statement comes from a genetic effect in sheep. Some newborn sheep grow black instead of white due to recessive inheritance. These sheep stand out in the flock, and their wool is usually of little value.

2. Since black wool cannot be dyed, it has no commercial value. In England during the 18th and 19th centuries, black sheep were regarded as symbols of the devil.

3. In modern terminology, some negative connotations about black sheep have disappeared. However, this idiom is still often used to describe a group of people who are not affected by the special characteristics or defects of the group. A welcome member of the group.

4. The literal meaning is black sheep, which means that the wool of black sheep has limited use value and can usually only be thrown away. And the meaning of the word has become further derogatory. Extended information

Wastrel also means prodigal son.

English [?we?str?l] ? American [?westr?l] ?

n. Prodigal; useless person, waste

1. Her?father?wouldn't?let?her?marry?a?wastrel.?

Her father would not let her marry a prodigal.

2. Was?found?lying?like?some?wastrel?on?a?village?street.?

was found lying on the country road.

3. Research?on?Time?Classification?of?Wastrel?Outflowing?

Research on the outflow time classification of street children

4. Research?on?the ?Preparation?of?Alkali-activated?Cement?Using?the?WasteAlkali?Water?and?the?Wastrel?

Research on the preparation of alkali cementitious materials using waste silicon slag and waste alkali water