A saying is an often stated observation regarding a common experience, an adage. Some are funny, some true, and some ridiculous. I thought I would share a few favorites, and how and when they are used.
" Horses heads are bigger let them worry". This was a favorite of my husband's grandmother Bella. She lived well into her 90's so you have to respect the philosophy.
" With relatives, you get mad then glad". This was from Bella's son Dave, my father in law. It was true for him much of his life, until he got very ill, and sick of his family.
" A father's not a mother". This is one of my favorites. It is from G.G. and won many an argument with my father- What do you answer in return? I also think it is true.
" He is short? He will stand on his wallet". This comes from my dating years when I would meet short wealthy men and refuse to date them. G.G. strikes again.
" The higher the fewer". This is from Star Trek the Next Generation. It drove my children crazy, because they never knew what it meant. It was always good for a laugh. Also " Chickens on the roof"- see above.
" Revenge is a dish best served cold", and " A fool and his head are soon parted". These are both Klingon proverbs. Both are true, and funny. Especially spoken in the original Klingon. KEPLACH
Finally, " Don't pee on my foot and tell me it's raining" I am a big fan of Judge Judy Schindlin and this is one of her favorites. My grandmother used it as well. The translation is I am nobodies fool, so don't try to fool me.
I hope you will add your favorite sayings to my list. Sometimes you just have to bow to the absurd, beause " It is what it is".
What fun! Thanks for the creative aphorisms. I have a (very) few too and could probably remember others, but none as original as the ones you named.
ReplyDeleteHere are some from my family and friends:
"My heart bleeds for you on a miniature violin" (i.e., "I have very little sympathy for you," from ...Johnny Carson?...Warner Brothers cartoons?...who?)
I also love Judge Judy's "Do you see 'Stupid' written across my forehead?"
"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose" from a song and before that, who knows, for a creative hex/curse from my neighbor.
A few Yiddish translations and Yiddish-isms turned about on their ear (I will only fracture the anglicized spelling of the Yiddish of those that have to be put into the Yiddish to catch the meaning) include:
"Go jump in the ocean."
"Go hit your head against the wall."
"Gae avec, avec a vous" (French meets Yiddish but still basically "Get yourself out of here" or "Go away.")
"Oy vay! ...a schmear!" (which switches the upset in general to upset over a newly found smudge or stain).
Finally, some of my mother's favorites:
"I am in good shape for the shape I'm in."
And from the Hebrew blessing for bread and a wine toast to life, we morph into people's names - Minnie Horrowitz and her husband, Lucky Chaim.
Thanks for the smiles!
Barbara
Thanks they all made me laugh, I forgot about the violin, and banging heads on the wall, a family favorite. Funny the crazy things we grow up with. Judy
ReplyDeleteThis was great. Your family and your Mom had some great expressions. I love the he will stand on his wallet one... too funny. I can just picture her giving you this advice....loved it.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad used to have one to cheer you up or just to give you a boost of optimism when you were leaving. Keep the faith and spread it around a little. It basically means keeps thinking positively and if you spread it around it will help you while helping others.
My Mom was more practical with her penny wise pound foolish to describe a relative who would try to save money on little things while spending excessively on other things.
Thanks for your very interesting blog.
Brid