Old Proverbs

There are a lot of old proverbs that we use which over time many of us have forgotten where they were came from or didn’t know in the first place. I’m providing five of them that I think are particularly interesting.  

• Example: “She’s showing her true colors.”

Of course the above sentence means now we know who she really is. I especially like this proverb because its origin is based on the Navy. Naval Warships (mostly during the 1700’s), used to fly multiple flags to confuse their enemies. In other words, a British ship might fly a Spanish flag when traveling in Spanish waters to try and sail through without being attacked. These War Ships carried a multitude of flags based on what they needed at the time. However, the rules of warfare (kind of like the Geneva Convention), stated that a ship had to hoist its true flag before firing thus: displaying its true color.

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

This old proverb contains a message that we all know is true but living it can be challenging. It basically means to appreciate what you have and don’t worry about what you don’t. Keep in mind this proverb is dated way back and it was during times where small prey like birds and rabbits kept people alive. So in this case, the proverb let people know to appreciate that they caught something and don’t fret about what they didn’t. Basically, count your blessings.

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

This one goes way back to the Greek fabulist Aesop (620 to 560 BC). In one of his Fables he mentions to not count your chickens before they hatch. The premise of his story is that you shouldn’t make decisions based off assumptions or it could end in ruin. If someone were raising and selling chickens and there were 12 new eggs he or she shouldn’t start counting the money until the chicks actually hatch. Someone who borrowed money based on the fact that they thought they’d have 12 chickens to sell could end up broke if not all of them successfully hatched. Once again, it’s a pretty simple concept but we’ve all been guilty at times of making assumptions; counting on something without guarantees.

• Eating humble pie.

Of course we know it means making an apology and suffering humiliation along with it but its origin is interesting. During the Middle Ages, the lord of a manor would hold a feast after hunting. He and other royalty would receive the finest cuts of meat at the feast but those of a lower status in attendance were served a pie filled with the entrails and innards of the animals killed and the pie filling was called “umbles” later to be translated as humble.  Therefore, receiving “humble pie” was considered humiliating because it informed others in attendance of the guests with lower status. I’ve been served the proverbial humble pie before and it definitely didn’t taste good.

• He has run amok.

This is a common old proverb and it means in so many words to pretty much go wild (out of control). The word amok (amoq), was used among Malaysian tribesmen to describe when they would run wild during attacks. By the way the reason they were known to go crazy and out of control during battle is they would take opium before fighting.

In wrapping up, there are probably thousands of Proverbs and I only gave you five in order to keep this article short. The next time you use an old proverb think about whether or not you really know its meaning and where it actually came from…the answer is just a Google click away.  This is what being a Knowledge Seeker is all about.