Published on 12, July, 2020
My head is a repository of all the old sayings my mum used when I was little and they stuck.
I only ever hear people my age (50+) using these now.
It's a shame if their use disappears completely.
I'd be curious to know whether any of the younger members of the forum know/use these.
Please share any you know.
There is a lot of wisdom in these.
A few that spring to mind immediately.
A stitch in time saves nine.
He who hesitates is lost.
Look before you leap.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Jack of all trades, master of none
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Out of the frying pan, into the fire
Youth is wasted on the young
Kill two birds with one stone.
A bad workman blames his tools
A fool and his money are soon parted
Honesty is the best policy
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Careless talk costs lives
Don't rob Peter to pay Paul
'What's your beef?'
When I was a child this was one of the things my grandparents said that really interested me... mainly because I couldn't work out what beef had to do with arguing, which they did as a sort of constant low-level pastime..
This one's simple, Cockney rhyming slang - plate of beef = grief. 'What's your grief?' translated!
If we took things literally, as we might, the things that people say would be very odd...
Don't lose your head: I will certainly try not to do that, I imagine it would be most inconvenient, fatal, possibly...
I've given you my heart: No! Don't do it! That would be fatal. Besides, I already have one of my own...
Keep your eyes peeled: Ugh!
And so on...
My grandad would always say "dont forget to take the wotsit with you" always though he ment a cheesy snack
Wise words from a wise Woman