Season 5 · Episode 16 · 1997
Beware Of Greeks
18 cultural references across 9 categories.
Film
1Food/Dining
3Kokaretski
Kokoretsi (kokaretski) is a traditional Greek dish made from lamb or goat intestines wrapped around seasoned offal, typically roasted on a spit.
“My very special kokaretski, for a very special nephew!”— Zora
Stuffed grape leaves
Stuffed grape leaves (dolmades) are a traditional Greek and Middle Eastern dish consisting of grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
“Forcing you to go elsewhere when you have one of your frequent cravings for stuffed grape leaves and zither music!”— Frasier
Duck press
A duck press (presse à canard) is a device used in French haute cuisine to extract juices and marrow from a duck carcass, most associated with the classic dish …
“Last time, he drank until he got his head caught in the duck press.”— Zora
Historical Figure
3Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden was an American woman tried and acquitted in 1893 for the axe murders of her father and stepmother. The case became one of the most famous in Amer…
“Yes, well, so did Lizzie Borden.”— Frasier
Hitler's invasion of Greece
Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany invaded Greece in April 1941 during World War II, leading to a brutal occupation and an active Greek resistance movement with partis…
“Have you forgotten the family legend that when Hitler invaded Greece she joined the partisans just so she could strangle Nazis?”— Niles
Robber baron
The term 'robber baron' refers to late 19th-century American industrialists and financiers who amassed enormous wealth, often through ruthless business practice…
“That was my grandfather, the original robber baron.”— Mary-Ann
Music
2Bouzouki
The bouzouki is a traditional Greek stringed musical instrument, a member of the long-necked lute family, central to Greek folk music.
“A bouzouki plays in the corner, and some people are dancing.”— Frasier
Zither
A zither is a stringed instrument common in Central European and Greek folk music, played by plucking or strumming the strings.
“Forcing you to go elsewhere when you have one of your frequent cravings for stuffed grape leaves and zither music!”— Frasier
Mythology/Religion
2Blessed are the peacemakers
A reference to the Beatitudes from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:9): 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.'
“Well, I hope you enjoy yourself, Mr. Blessed-Are-the-Peacemakers!”— Niles
Confessional
A confessional is an enclosed booth in a Catholic church where a priest hears confessions of sins from parishioners.
“How could she? I spent half the time hiding in the confessional!”— Niles
Other
1Theatre/Opera
1Travel
2Greek Islands
The Greek Islands are a group of over 6,000 islands and islets in the Aegean and Ionian seas, a famous travel destination known for their beauty and culture.
“You know, I've always wanted to do this: make a trip around the Greek Islands!”— Frasier
Paris
Paris is the capital of France, a major cultural center and destination, referenced here as a place for street performers to work.
“She wanted to work in Paris and I wanted to stay here.”— Nikos
Wine/Alcohol
3Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine produced exclusively in the Champagne region of France. Under French and EU law, only sparkling wine from this region may be label…
“it's none of that sissy French wine, it's real Greek champagne!”— Zora
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, frequently consumed by Niles and Frasier throughout the …
“Niles is pouring himself sherry.”— Niles
Ouzo
Ouzo is an anise-flavored alcoholic drink that is the national drink of Greece, typically served as an aperitif.
“Nikos, go check on the sous-chef, make sure he isn't into the ouzo!”— Zora