"Dragons Den" - why is it so called?

[SurreyGuy]

Is there a specific reasson for the name of this programme?

T.I.A.

[JamesEverton]

I suppose that it's a variation on the phrase, "to step into the lions' den." I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me, if someone else held the rights to a programme called "Lions' Den".

[andy-hughes]

I think it's because a number of mytholigical tales involve enetering a dragon's den - with associated singeing-and-roaring-and-general-appropriate-unpleasentness-type scenarios.

The crux of the issue is that entering the dragon's den was always associated with a challenge, a task which the hero had to complete to emerge unharmed.

The modern TV equivalent is the 'task' of securing finance for a proposed scheme, and possibly enduring the 'wrath' of the 'dragons' if failure occurs.

They've done away with the general eating, roasting, and other similarly anti-TV-family-viewing-style conundrums, and substituted a few direct questions and harsh words if the hero falls down on the job.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks guys

[jenstar]

Bear in mind the show originated in Japan, where they're very into dragon imagery. And anyway, Dragons are more impressive than Lions, are they not?

[curlyperm]

one newspaper critic said that Deborah Meadon might be the inspiration behind the idea of the name of the show!! (even though she wasnt on the very first series) but she has got a face only a mother could love............i think anyway. : O

[CJBUBBER]

What a terrific programme anyway!