Two Faced (Origin)

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Two Faced"?

The term two faced refers to a hypocritical person. It refers to the Roman god Janus, who had two faces, one at the front of his head and another at the back. It was assumed that a person who would say one thing to one person and a conflicting thing to another would have two faces, like Janus.

Examples of Use:

• Anthony seems nice, but he talks behind your back. He's extremely two faced.
• You can't trust a two-faced person.
• I've never met anyone so two faced. She's sweet to your face.

Previous and Next Sayings

More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms