Ali Baba

Definition

An extremely lucky person, especially one who acquires a large fortune by luck or by chance.

Etymology

From Arabic علي بابا. The use of Ali Baba to designate a type of container originates from the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (see the use as proper noun below), suggesting the appearance of the oil jars in which the thieves hide in the story.

Example Sentences

• "Towering over all these are the huge Ali Baba baskets, square at the bottom, round at the top, and fitted with square covers that pull down like a Dutch smoker's cap."
• "We found little piles in the oddest places - the oddest being within an Ali Baba jar some six feet high."
• "Behind what looked like—but surely couldn't be—an oversized Ali Baba laundry basket dribbling earth and pebbles over the floor, peeped a save."