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
Yes, I'd never hear that before, very confusing.
I get you.You took it literally
I work in catering and at work recently the chef said to me "It'll be a different gravy today". Of course I then waited for him to tell me what sort of gravy it would be, but what he meant was it was going to be a bit different how we were doing things that day.
Wise words from a wise Woman
'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...
Deleted user said:one for the raven, one for the crow, one to die and one to grow
This is the only one on here I've not heard before. Does it relate to sowing seed?
When i die,i want to pass away peacefully just like my Granded did,unlike the passengers screaming in the back of His Car !
Maybe not an old saying, but .... no pain, no gain.
Not so much a proverb but a saying, “ hangers on.” Before the time of execution by people like Albert Pierrepoint, hanging was often choking to death, the “ hangers on”would pull or swing from the legs of the unfortunate person to quicken their death.
Another one I have read into is to “ kick the bucket,” pigs are normally slaughtered by their throat being cut, in older times they would be hung by their rear legs and a bucket placed under their heads, in their last throws of life their front legs would “kick the bucket.” Sorry if it’s a bit grizzly.
Here is one for bees:
It's none of your beeswax
meaning - it's none of your business. Thanks to Terry Pratchett for introducing me to this gem.
Back in my day...
Time was my grandfather said this all the time to me. He was a brilliant man I miss him a lot.
You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, also Don’t cry wolf.
"When in doubt, both feet out."
(From my driving instructor)
Ben
'Rules are made to be broken'
Story of my life.
"Last time I saw you, you were barely knee high to a grasshopper" my fav that I used to hear frequently but haven't for a while! :)
Story of my life!
I like that.....not heard it before...but it's a goodun.
Yesterday I did some shopping and found myself queuing twice at the till because I'd forgotten some things.
The expression: 'your head won't save your legs' came to mind.
Only that crying feels so good afterwards
Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional.