Folklore: modern proverb

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: G-Force
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 06:44 AM

Was it Ronnie Scott who used to say 'If God had meant us to fly he would have given us tickets'?

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 04:14 AM

Ancient proverb: "The early bird catches the worm".

Modern proverb: "The early worm gets caught".

DC

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 04:11 AM

If at first you don't succeed, give up. (Homer Simpson)

A rolling gallstones gathers remorse. (My Mrs.)

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 04:06 AM

Although he died in 1963, ...

Oops! I mis-read the dates. MacMillan served as Prime Minister until 1963. He died in 1986.

DC

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: BobL
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 02:42 AM

A free society is a place where it's safe to be unpopular -- Adlai Stevenson.

If the result confirms the hypothesis, you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, you've made a discovery -- Enrico Fermi.

It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide.

Remember, your sole purpose in life may be to serve as a warning to others -- Les Barker.

Politicians are like ships - noisiest when lost in fog.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet -- Abraham Lincoln.

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 06:47 PM

The meek shall inherit the earth; if that's all right with you chaps.

If a job's really worth doing it's even worth doing badly.

Robin

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: leeneia
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 06:41 PM

Those are interesting. Keep em coming.

Another one relates to small children: Don't say don't.

It means, tell the child what you want him to do, because there are dozens of bad things to do but only a few good things. Also, a young child may not understand that "don't" negates what follows.

If we say "Don't climb on the dining room table," the child may hear something vague about the table. If we say "You may play on the floor or get on the furniture," then that is clear.

It's interesting that the proverb violates itself, using "Don't".

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 02:23 PM

A quote from Harold MacMillan, former Prime Minister of the UK. Although he died in 1963, it is particularly apt in the current situation:

      "To be alive at all involves some risk"

DC

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 01:11 PM

If at first you don't succeed, sky diving's not for you.


The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not the mineral rights.
- J Paul Getty.

DC

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 01:04 PM

Attributed to Joseph Kennedy:

    "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

DC

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 01:00 PM

Too many brothels spoil the cook
A bird in the hand makes it difficult to blow the nose
People that live in glasshouses should undress in the dark
A stitch in Time holds the magazine together
A rolling stone gathers momentum

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 12:56 PM

I read a longer version of the tomato is a fruit thing but haha cannot remember it!

Ok I looked it up: And philosophy is wondering if that makes ketchup a smoothie.

Subject: RE: Folklore: modern proverb
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 12:26 PM

“If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing to excess.”

Subject: Folklore: modern proverb
From: leeneia
Date: 09 Oct 20 - 12:15 PM

Once upon a time, I went to the state convention of the folklore society, and I gave a talk on modern proverbs. The talk was well received, with an interested audience. Since then I have kept my eye out for modern proverbs, and here's one I just encountered.

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."

Do you know any others?