Awesome! The variation I’ve heard is, Archie was contemplating the nature of buoyancy and the like whilst taking a bath. It was then he noticed the water spilling over. He became so excited by his newly discovered principle that he immediately jumped from the tub and ran naked through the streets of Athens shouting “Eureka!”
Another ben trovato - and certainly as apocryphal as Newton’s apple.
I’ve just used it twice now as a noun phrase, with the indefinite article, i.e. “a ben trovato.” Hope it’s correct. Come back aldiboronti!
I’ve used the phrase “cautionary tale” for stories such as these, but I like “ben trovato” much, much better. Very elegant and sophisticated. Unfortunately, if I use it anywhere in conversation, I will have to explain it and I find that somewhat embarassing.
Dictionary.com lists it as an adjective.ben trovato