Tag Archives: proverb

121618-031

Amharic:
English: It’s hard to choose the most beautiful monkey.
Collected: Amsterdam, Netherlands (12-16-2018)
Origin: A common saying in Ethiopia. Used when faced with all bad choices. Heard it from her father.

121618-029

Dutch: Doe normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg
English: Just act normal, you’re already crazy enough as is.
Collected: Amsterdam, Netherlands (12-16-2018)
Origin: A particularly Calvinist Dutch expression that you learn in elementary school as part of Dutch sayings and proverbs.

121618-028

Dutch: Als je voor een dubbeltje geboren bent, word je nooit een kwartje.
English: If you are born a dime, you’ll never be a quarter
Collected: Amsterdam, Netherlands (12-16-2018)
Origin: Dutch expression that you learn in elementary school as part of Dutch sayings and proverbs

121618-027

Dutch: Ook al draagt een aap een gouden ring, het is en blijft een lelijk ding.
English: Even if a monkey would wear a golden ring, it would still remain an ugly thing
Collected: Amsterdam, Netherlands (12-16-2018)
Origin: Dutch expression that you learn in elementary school as part of Dutch sayings and proverbs

042816002

English: Everyday the bucket goes to the well, but one day the bottom must drop out
collected: Astoria, Queens (04-28-2016)
origin: an old proverb her grandmother used to say to her growing up in Guyana, which means: every day one keeps on doing wrong in secret, one day the truth will be revealed

122015004


Finnish: Itku pitkästä ilosta.
English: You will cry after a long happiness.
collected: Vaasa, Finland (12-20-2015)
origin: very old Finnish proverb – meaning “sooner or later shit will hit the fan.”

122015003

Finnish: Mies tulee räkänokastakin, muttei tyhjännaurajasta.
English: Snot-faced kids become men, but not the ones who laugh too easily.
collected: Vaasa, Finland (12-20-2015)
origin: very old Finnish saying/proverb. Used to insult someone for being silly or foolish.

122015002

Finnish: Hullu mies Huittisista! Syö enemmän kuin tienaa.
English: You crazy man from Huittinen! You eat more than you earn.
collected: Vaasa, Finland (12-20-2015)
origin: old Finnish saying, originating in or about someone in Huittinen, now used throughout Finland. Something you say to or about someone who is being a spendthrift.