Eran presa de las epidemias

[laepelba]

Actually, in AmE, the word "potpourri" can definitely have a poetic/idiomatic sense as you described, Irma. (For example, the school where I teach has a potpourri of languages that the students speak in the hallways.) I definitely took Perikles meaning, though, as the mixture of dried flowers, plants, etc. which is supposed to be used for an aromatic purpose. I think that there are plenty of people who see lots of reason for potpourri, cushions and bath salts. :)

[aleCcowaN]

But what about "ser presa de". I find "seize" to be used with strong emotions and bodily "stuff":

fueron presa del miedo = they were seized with fear
fue presa de fuertes convulsiones = he was seized by violent convulsions

but, what about other things one can succumb to?

eran presa de las infecciones ---> they were vulnerable and many people get infected at the same time, year after year (infections "preyed" on them on a regular basis)
eran presa fácil de las infecciones ---> they could easily get infected

and we also got all the figurative senses:

fue presa de la ambición =? she succumbed to ambition (and made awful mistakes)

About "diseases", there are other Spanish phrases that might have an easier-to-find way in English:

eran presa de las enfermedades
eran presa fácil de las enfermedades
la enfermedad se enseñoreaba sobre ellos
la enfermedad se cebaba en ellos
estaban inermes ante la enfermedad

[irmamar]

Potpourri is a curious word which has its origin in the Spanish "olla podrida", a soup with a lot of ingredients (Robin may know them :thinking:) . This soup passed to France, where they translated the name into "pot pourri" (direct translation). Then, this word came back to Spain with a different meaning, that is, a mixing of things instead a soup. The word passed to English with its French name. In Spanish the word is "popurrí", but nobody says this word, but "pupurri".

I don't know why in GB potpourri means a mix of dry flowers. Maybe harvester (?) of flowers, to use the leftovers of the dry plants, they made bunchs or small sacks to perfume wardrobes and furnitures where the clothes were saved. Well, I'm just guessing. :thinking: :)

This is the history:

http://www.elimparcial.es/suplemento_gastronomia/olla-podrida-o-ipot-pourrii-palabras-de-ida-y-vuelta-41990.html

[poli]

In English a potpourri is any ad hoc mixture or eclectic melange. In recent years it has frequently been used, as Perikles writes, to mean floral sachet, and I agree with him jocularly and seriously, there's not much need for it.

[irmamar]

Pues parece ser que tiene su origen en las civilizaciones griega (http://plantas.facilisimo.com/reportajes/flores/popurri-de-flores-secas_184266.html) y romana. :D :D

[laepelba]

I don't have any aversion to potpourri, I simply don't really use it myself. But there are some people who are wild about it ... will pay a lot of money for it ... will give it as gifts ... will hunt around in gift shops for it ... It's interesting to see the whole history of it! :)

[poli]

It'a a male/female thing. Most men find it musty and tolerate it because they want peace at home. Most women like it...don't ask me why, because it's a mystery to me.

PS The Greek original made of dried aromatics is probably good and may
have scared away moths, but the stuff they currently sell in card stores scares me away.

Card stores .... now that's something you won't find in Spain, and I am
have problems visualizing one in Mexico too. I think they are in Mexico.