phrase
also: Classic Literature
Shangri-La
A hidden utopia โ a remote, perfect, almost-mythical refuge.
Origin
Coined by James Hilton in his 1933 novel Lost Horizon: a lamasery in a hidden Tibetan valley where inhabitants age very slowly and live in serene wisdom. The word entered English so quickly that Franklin D. Roosevelt named his Maryland presidential retreat Shangri-La in 1942 (later renamed Camp David).
Modern usage
Used for hidden vacation spots, idealized communities, and ironically for places that fail to live up to the promise. Carries less religious weight than 'paradise' or 'Eden'.
Tags
utopia
refuge