[more common phrases of a hundred or more years ago]
11.=
IT COST YOU NOTHING TO TAKE A LOOK
(nothing=
wrong with window shopping as long as you don’t go in debt)
12. CAN’=
T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP (or out of a STONE)
(impossible task; often focused on money if a person is cheap)
13. DO AS I SA=
Y, NOT AS I DO
(don’t imitate my actio=
ns, since I am fallible, but obey what is preached – from a pulpit co=
mmentary in 1654, so not new with our grandparents!)
14. SHAKE A LEG
(hurry up or you’ll be late, from action of a slee=
ping dog standing up and slowly stretching before movement)
15. THICK AS THE HAIR=
ON A DOG’S BACK
(meant to indicate th=
ickness or plentiful, at our house it was always referring to the pile of b=
ills)
16. YOU SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD
(repeat=
edly asking for the same thing over and over again)
17. DON’T BUY WHAT YOU =
CAN’T AFFORD
(advice to newlyweds that=
they can’t live the way their parents live; remember, it took them t=
ime to buy and save, and it will take you time, too)
18. WORRYING IS PRAYING FOR =
WHAT YOU DON’T WANT
(focus on positive=
results instead of putting your attention, energy, and thoughts on what yo=
u don’t want to happen)
19. EVERY OLD CROW THINKS HERS ARE THE BLACKEST
(all grandparents think their grandkids are the=
smartest or cutest or most athletic, like mine are)
20. DON’T BITE OFF MOR=
E THAN YOU CAN CHEW
(moderation is the key=
; I found I can put 3 donuts in my mouth at once, but then . . . )
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Lo=
ve!"