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OPA! and Greek Dancing
It is customary for Greeks to shout “OPA!” when dancing. You may have seen this happen at a Greek festival where dancers, dressed in traditional costumes from various parts of Greece, proudly and enthusiastically exhibit their dancing moves and athletic skills. You may have also seen such a display of the OPA! spirit when watching Greek dancing on television or in popular movies, such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Mamma Mia!
To Greeks, dance is not simply a recreational activity or a way to celebrate good times. On the contrary, the long-standing tradition of dance across Greece is a well-known part of their entire way of life; an authentic integration of mind, body, and spirit. Throughout the ages, Greek dance has proven to be not only a release or way to manage stress, but also an inspirational force that guides the Greeks through the stress so that they can confront—and ideally overcome—whatever challenges they are facing in life and work. Be it to deal with foreign occupations or economic crises, dance is built into the Greek culture’s DNA and used not only as a weapon to combat adversity but also as a tool to build resilience.
In the famous novel Zorba the Greek, written by Nikos Kazantzakis, it was the dance that enabled Zorba to see through the fog of everyday life and inspired him and others to achieve their highest potential. The movie’s classic song, “Zorba’s Dance,” is recognized worldwide as a powerful catalyst for making anyone, even the most reluctant or unwilling individual, want to dance. Indeed, just thinking about this song makes us feel like dancing like Zorba, and to do what has now become the custom: enthusiastically shout “OPA!”
You may have also heard the expression “OPA!” when someone drops a plate in a restaurant—either on purpose, as a symbol of celebration, or by accident. Or you may have heard everybody in a restaurant shout “OPA!” when the Greek cheese appetizer, Saganaki, is lit. (“Flaming” Saganaki is a predominantly North American invention of frying or grilling cheese, setting it aflame with brandy, and finally extinguishing the flames with lemon juice.)
The Origins and Meaning of OPA!
Interestingly, we’ve been able to trace the roots of the word “OPA!” to ancient Greece. Thanks to our dear friend Sophia Tsakiroglou Bothou, founder of the Athena Apollo Museum in Athens, we learned that the word can be found in both The Iliad and The Odyssey, which were written some three thousand years ago!
According to Greek mythology, nine goddesses or muses inspired the creation of literature and the arts. (Today, we often compliment a woman by referring to her as a “muse”; someone who inspires creativity.) The muse Kalliope had a beautiful voice and was best known as Homer’s muse and his inspiration for The Iliad and The Odyssey. In Homer’s epic writings, OPA! had the distinct meaning of “singing with a beautiful-sounding voice,” with direct reference to the voice of Kalliope. The chanting or calling out to Kalliope was shortened to “OPE!” and eventually that morphed into “OPA!” In time, the word began to describe the high tone of a vocalist who, through his or her “OPA!” was able to create an uplifting and enthusiastic spirit.
Today, there are many definitions and associated uses of OPA! Although it does not have an exact translation in English, it is a common Greek word used mosfrequently to express joy, excitement, and inspiration. When used as an expression, it reinforces the belief that ultimately, no matter how challenging our situation, we always have the freedom to choose our attitude—and exclaiming “OPA!” helps us choose a positive, resilient attitude. The word is also life-affirming, suggesting that, in one way or another, life truly matters and that all of life holds unlimited potential. Shouting “OPA!” lifts the spirits of the person saying it and it can also elevate the spirits of those who hear it. To be sure, it would be very difficult to shout out “OPA!” or to hear “OPA!” and not feel good about life!
We discovered while on our odyssey in Greece that the word “OPA!” also means different things to different people and its exact definition is often debated. Some Greeks told us that “OPA!” can be interpreted or translated into English to mean “what the hell, let’s do it,” which they viewed as an expression of freedom and self-reliance.
Another interpretation of the word was given to us by our good friend Andreas, the owner of the Greek restaurant Acropolis in Rethymno, Crete. With his usual passion and confidence, Andreas told us that “OPA!” can also mean “wake up,” “danger,” and “look out.” In this interpretation, OPA! reminds us to remain awake and conscious of our life’s journey so that we don’t regret our choices later on, nor become like a fly stuck on the windowsill of life—wanting more out of life but unable to see or take advantage of the other options available to us.
Initially, we found Andreas’ perspective on its use unusual, but as we later learned, it was based on an accurate definition, depending upon the word’s actual spelling in the Greek language. There are two letters in the Greek alphabet that represent the single English letter “O”: “O” (omicron) and “Ω” (omega). Spelled with an omicron, OPA! (ΌΠA) means voice, as we described with our story of Kalliope, along with excitement and spirit. However, when spelled with an omega, OPA! (ΏΠA), which is derived from various ancient Greek words describing the opening of our eyes, means “danger” or “watch out.” So Andreas was very insightful when he told us that “OPA!” can express excitement but also “wake up!” or “look out!”
Our examination of OPA! from ancient times to the present day reveals that it can be viewed as two sides of the same coin:
• One side, ΌΠA, refers to the uplifting, enthusiastic expression that is often heard during some kind of celebration; a manifestation of “kefi” or spirit. (The word “enthusiasm” is from the Greek words “en” [in] and “theos” [god], essentially meaning “manifesting the spirit within.”)
• The other, ΏΠA, refers to the human need to remain awake or aware and be on the lookout for any possible dangers, as well as opportunities, in one’s life path.
Much like the Chinese concept of yin and yang, these two sides of the OPA! Coin may appear to be opposite life forces, but are actually interconnected and interdependent. Both sides are needed to build resilience, manage life transitions, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Two sides of the OPA! Coin
Our OPA! Moment
Of course, OPA! has a unique meaning for us. One day after traveling through the back roads of Crete, we stopped for a late dinner at a local taverna. We were just beginning to enjoy our mezedes (appetizers) when we were interrupted by shouts of “OPA!” coming from the other side of the taverna. We smiled at each other, raised our glasses of red wine in a toast, and echoed “OPA!” at our table. Call it synchronicity or whatever you wish but, as we began to discuss the results of our many interviews, we realized that the letters in OPA! just happened to relate to the three traits we found most prevalent in the people who felt they had the greatest meaning in their lives:
• They connect meaningfully with others.
• They engage with deeper purpose.
• They embrace life with attitude.
The initial letters in the words “others” (O), “purpose” (P), and “attitude” (A) spell the word and, coincidentally, form the acronym OPA! We felt our hearts start to beat faster and our faces light up with excitement. “OPA!” That was it! The Greeks we had talked to were truly manifesting an OPA! lifestyle. They were truly living The OPA!
