People Reveal The Strangest Proverbs That Always Confused Them
The English language is finicky to the uninitiated. Just think hard about the words "heart," beard," and "heard," and try not to get too angry. Sometimes, though, our metaphors and phrasings can be a bit infuriating when you try to understand their meaning. Some meanings are probably lost to time. Reddit user, r/suchSuAg, asked the following to find out the most confusing and infuriating proverbs:
What proverb or saying has never made sense to you?
When In Rome...Wait, What?
"Its all Greek to me".
I'm greek- for years I thought it meant, "makes sense".
You Would Think It'd Be Sticky
"The proof is in the pudding"
I always loved that saying, even though I don't usually say... I think it's kinda funny/weird
What Happens When Proverbs Contradict One Another
If winners never quit...
And quitters never win...
Then whose bright idea was it to quit while you're ahead.
Those Crazy Aussies...
"We're not here to f-ck spiders" heard this one from some Aussies when backpacking.
I always use it now but have no clue what it really means.
"You guys want another beer?" "Well we're not here to f-ck spiders!"
And we drank...
When The Phrase Contradicts Itself
"Slept like a baby" to describe a good night's sleep.
Have you ever met a baby? They're atrocious sleepers.
How Would That Even Work In The Bathroom?
A guy I worked with used to tell people they talked like a man with a paper asshole.
Also never knew what it meant but loved it.
Logically, This Makes The Most Sense
"Drive it like you stole it."
You mean 5 under the speed limit obeying all laws to avoid getting noticed?
Witches With A Serious Skin Condition
My mum breaks out "it's as (insert word here) as a witch's tit" on the regular. She'll switch between "it's as dry as a witch's tit" in summer, "I'm as dry as a witch's tit" when thirsty, "it's as cold as a witch's tit" or "it's as hot as a witch's tit".
I don't know what witches she's been hanging around with but she knows their tits well.
Even The Welsh Do It
"Putting the violin in the roof" = Welsh saying meaning "giving up"
"Over the dishes" = another Welsh saying meaning "over the top"
Mind you, I'm not surprised coming from the country who refer to a microwave as a "popty-ping"...
This Paints A Depressing Love Life
"All's fair in love and war."
My exes would disagree with the former. The Geneva Conventions would disagree with the latter.
There's Definitely A Good Scar Story Here
"A barking dog never bites"
.... unfortunately I know for a fact thats not true
More Animal Cruelty
There's more than one way to skin a cat.
What the f-ck? Who came up with this? Why would you skin a cat to begin with?
Clearly, They've Never Met Mr. Ed
Straight from the horse's mouth.
Horses don't talk.
The phrase originated in horse racing. People were constantly trying to figure out which horse was going to win, and bandying tips from more and more informed sources: "I heard it from the stableboy/I heard it from the trainer/I heard it from the jockey that such and such horse is going to win."
The best source is obviously the horse itself, thus "Straight from the horses mouth."
Another Saying Contradicting Itself
"Needless to say" followed by saying the thing that's needless to say.
Ever Hear Of Amputation?
"What doesn't kill you makes your stronger"
A stroke may not kill you but you sure as hell won't be stronger after it.
Why Not Save Ten?
"A stitch in time saves nine".
I get it now. but for the longest time I didn't understand how or why anyone would apply a stitch to time. Time is a concept, not a tangible thing that you can physically mend with needle and thread. Also....who the hell is "nine" and why would stitching time save them.
Then I realized the adage was saying, euphemistically:
"one stitch in something which needs repair will prevent future degradation of the item in question, which would require more repair later."
My way of saying it is catchier...just sayin'
Turns Out, Money Isn't The Root Of All Evil
Money can't buy happiness
you ever seen anyone sad on a jetski?
What The Devil Does On His Own Time Is His Own Business
"The devil is beating his wife" an old saying for when it rains while the sun is shining.
I find this expression soo creepy.
And The Worst-Best Proverb Is...
"You've made your bed. Now you have to lie in it."
But.... I just made it, though.
H/T: Reddit
