story
Cain and Abel
The original story of fratricide and jealousy.
Origin
Adam and Eve's first two sons. God favors Abel's offering over Cain's; Cain, jealous, murders his brother in a field โ the first murder. 'Am I my brother's keeper?' is Cain's evasive answer when asked where Abel is.
Modern usage
Shorthand for sibling rivalry escalated to ruin. The phrase 'my brother's keeper' has its own life as a statement of moral responsibility.
Tags
rivalry
family
murder