What is sour?

Famous quotes containing the word sour:

“The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
—Bible: Hebrew Ezekiel, 18:2.

Proverbial reproach by God, concerning the land of Israel. The same image is used in Jeremiah 31:29.

“I wonder, Mr. Bone man, what you’re thinking
of your fury now, gone sour as a sinking whale,
crawling up the alphabet on her own bones.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)

“Have mercy, little pillow,
stay mute and uncaring,
hear not one word of disaster!
Stay close, little sour feather,
little fellow full of salt.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)