Tilting at windmills Tilting at windmills Tilting at windmills is an English idiom that means attacking imaginary enemies. The expression is derived from the 1605 novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, and the word "tilt" in this context comes from jousting. The phrase is sometimes used to describe either confrontations where adversaries are incorrectly perceived, or courses of action that are based on misinterpreted or misapplied heroic, romantic, or idealistic justifications. It may also connote an importune, unfounded, and vain effort against adversaries real or imagined for a vain goal. The phrase comes from an episode in the Cervantes novel wherein protagonist
Orlando (fictional character) Orlando (fictional character) "Not to be confused with Orlando (cat)" Orlando (The Marmalade Cat) is the fictional eponymous hero of the series (of the same name) of 19 illustrated children's books written by Kathleen Hale between 1938 and 1972, issued by various publishers including "Country Life" and "Puffin Picture Books". The series involves a marmalade cat (most likely a ginger tabby) named Orlando, and his adventures with his family and wife named Grace. The "Orlando (The Marmalade Cat)" books were created by Kathleen Hale for her two children, and Orlando was inspired by their real-life cat Orlando. When "Country Life"