What is "embarrassment of riches"

n. (context idiomatic English) An abundance or overabundance of something; too much of a good thing.

An embarrassment of riches is an idiom that means an overabundance of something, or too much of a good thing, that originated in 1738 as John Ozell's translation of a French play, L'Embarras des richesses (1726), by Léonor Jean Christine Soulas d'Allainval.

Example: "All four of them have their own cars but there's no room in the driveway—an embarrassment of riches".

The idiom has also inspired other works and been included in their titles. This includes: The Embarrassment of Riches (1906), a play by Louis K. Anspacher. and, a 1918 drama film of the same name, based on the Anspacher play; a 2006 music album of this name by Elephant Micah; the history book The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age, by Simon Schama; and An Embarrassment of Riches a 2000 novel written by Filipino author Charlson Ong.

Embarrassment of Riches is an 6-song "albumette" by Elephant Micah which was released September 29, 2006 on Micah's own LRRC label. The record was unveiled at a record release party at Micah's alma mater, Earlham College. In late October, the album was reviewed by the Denver Post, probably the largest media publication to review an Elephant Micah release to date.

Embarrassment of riches is an idiom.

Embarrassment of riches may also refer to:

• The Embarrassment of Riches (1906), a play by Louis K. Anspacher
• Embarrassment of Riches (EP), a 2006 music album by Elephant Micah
• The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age, a history book by Simon Schama
• An Embarrassment of Riches a 2000 novel written by Filipino author Charlson Ong