{"id":82969,"date":"2022-02-15T10:07:02","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T15:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=82969"},"modified":"2022-02-15T10:07:59","modified_gmt":"2022-02-15T15:07:59","slug":"do-you-know-these-expressions-your-ancestors-used-part-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/do-you-know-these-expressions-your-ancestors-used-part-10.html","title":{"rendered":"Do You Know These Expressions Your Ancestors Used? (Part 10)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this last article in her series, Jessica Edwards continues her discussion of the meanings and origins of idioms (figurative phrases) that our ancestors used, focusing on idioms from around the world. Jessica has had a lifelong interest in her family\u2019s history \u2013 especially on her father\u2019s side, which goes back to the first settlers in Pennsylvania, Jamestown and New England \u2013 and has documented and added more than 21,000 people to her family tree!<\/em><\/p>\n

Idioms (figurative phrases) have been used throughout the centuries and may appear in what was said or written by our ancestors. Understanding these expressions will help you better understand what your ancestors were saying \u2013 and finding out the history of these sayings can be quite entertaining!<\/p>\n

In the previous parts of this series, I presented idioms primarily from the English-speaking world. In today\u2019s final installment, I give you something different: idioms from around the world. These sayings in themselves are quite fascinating and often humorous \u2013 and if your ancestors are from these areas, then perhaps this article will help you better understand something curious you found in one of their journals or letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Idiom<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\nOriginal Language<\/strong><\/td>\nIdiom in That Language<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Break a fast with an onion.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou got a raw deal.<\/td>\nArabic<\/td>\n\u0643\u0633\u0631 \u0627\u0644\u0635\u064a\u0627\u0645 \u0645\u0639 \u0627\u0644\u0628\u0635\u0644<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stop ironing my board.<\/strong><\/td>\nStop bothering me.<\/td>\nArmenian<\/td>\n“\u0564\u0561\u0564\u0561\u0580\u0565\u0581\u0580\u0565\u0584 \u056b\u0574 \u0563\u0580\u0561\u057f\u0561\u056d\u057f\u0561\u056f\u056b \u0561\u0580\u0564\u0578\u0582\u056f\u0578\u0582\u0574\u0568.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You have hair on your teeth.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou are ultra-confident.<\/td>\nDutch<\/td>\n“Je hebt haar op je tanden.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You have long teeth.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou are very ambitious.<\/td>\nFinnish<\/td>\n“H\u00e4nell\u00e4 on pitk\u00e4t hampaat.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Like perfume on a meatball.<\/strong><\/td>\nSomeone is a square or nerd.<\/td>\nFinnish<\/td>\n“Sopia kuin hajuvesi lihapullaan.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To shoot flies with a cannon.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou\u2019re making a simple task more difficult.<\/td>\nFinnish<\/td>\n\u00a0“Ampua tykill\u00e4 k\u00e4rp\u00e4si\u00e4.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A face like the sun in Naantali.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou have it all.<\/td>\nFinnish; refers to Naantali (a popular vacation spot in Finland)<\/td>\n“Naama kuin Naantalin aurinko.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To get caught in the fyke.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou got caught doing wrong.<\/td>\nFinnish; \u201cfyke\u201d is a large fishing net<\/td>\n“Saada kinni rysan paalta.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A bad man quarrels with his tools.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou must not be very good at what you do!<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cMauve\u00e9s ovriers ne trovera ja bon hostill.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Broke three legs on a duck.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou did something extraordinary.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cNe pas casser trois pattes \u00e0 un canard.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It is in the polish (to make it shine).<\/strong><\/td>\nYou are doing something while sleepy or unconscious.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201c\u00catre dans le cirage.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Put the cart before the cows.<\/strong><\/td>\nDoing things out of order.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cMettre la charrue avant les b\u0153ufs.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To feel or sense the fir tree.<\/strong><\/td>\nSensing death.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cSentir le sapin.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To have a cockroach.<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0Feeling sad or depressed.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cAvoir le cafard.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To have butter and butter money.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo have your cake and eat it too.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cAvoir le beurre et l\u2019argent du beurre.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
When chickens have teeth.<\/strong><\/td>\nIt\u2019s never going to happen.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cQuand les poules auront des dents.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Your ankles are swelling.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou are too arrogant or proud.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cAvoir les chevilles qui enflent.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I have other cats to whip.<\/strong><\/td>\nI have other things to do.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n“J\u2019ai des chats \u00e0 fouetter.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It’s dog weather.<\/strong><\/td>\nIt’s bad weather.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n“Il fait un temps de chien.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The clothing doesn’t make the monk.<\/strong><\/td>\nThings may not be what they seem.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cL\u2019habit ne fait pas le moine.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are running on my bean.<\/strong><\/td>\nThey\u2019re getting on my nerves!<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cIl me court sur le haricot.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To have mustard going up your nose.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo lose your temper.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cAvoir la moutarde qui monte au nez.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You are cutting hair into four pieces.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou’re splitting hairs.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cCouper les cheveux en quatre.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To eat bread.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo get something cheap.<\/td>\nFrench<\/td>\n\u201cUne bouch\u00e9e de pain.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Everything has one\u00a0end, only the sausage has two.<\/strong><\/td>\nEverything comes to an end.<\/td>\nGerman<\/td>\n“Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To tie a bear to someone.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou’ve tricked me.<\/td>\nGerman<\/td>\n“Einen B\u00e4ren an jemanden gebunden.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
An elephant made out of a fly.<\/strong><\/td>\nMake a big deal out of nothing.<\/td>\nGerman<\/td>\n“Ein Elefant aus einer Fliege.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch only as far as your blanket reaches.<\/strong><\/td>\nDon\u2019t overdo it.<\/td>\nHungarian<\/td>\n“Ny\u00fajtson csak addig, am\u00edg a takar\u00f3 el\u00e9ri.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I took him to the bakery.<\/strong><\/td>\nI told him off.<\/td>\nIcelandic<\/td>\n“\u00c9g t\u00f3k hann \u00ed bakar\u00ed\u00f0.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
While diving, drink water.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou accomplished two things at the same time.<\/td>\nIndonesian<\/td>\n“Sambil menyelam, minum air.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To treat someone with a fish in their face.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo disrespect someone.<\/td>\nItalian<\/td>\n“Per trattare qualcuno con un pesce in faccia.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Not all doughnuts come with a hole.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou don\u2019t always get what you want.<\/td>\nItalian<\/td>\n“Non tutte le ciambelle hanno un buco.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.<\/strong><\/td>\nIt is more effective to be polite\/ ingratiating than to be hostile\/demanding.<\/td>\nItalian<\/td>\n“Puoi catturare pi\u00f9 mosche con il miele che con l’aceto.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To have dumplings instead of flowers.<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0You\u2019ve chosen something useful over something decorative.<\/td>\nJapanese<\/td>\n“\u82b1\u306e\u4ee3\u308f\u308a\u306b\u9903\u5b50\u3092\u6301\u3064\u306b\u306f.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Even monkeys fall from trees.<\/strong><\/td>\nEveryone makes a mistake.<\/td>\nJapanese<\/td>\n“\u733f\u3082\u6728\u304b\u3089\u843d\u3061\u308b.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
My cheeks are falling off.<\/strong><\/td>\nThis is really delicious!<\/td>\nJapanese<\/td>\n“\u733f\u3082\u6728\u304b\u3089\u843d\u3061\u308b.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don’t swallow some camels.<\/strong><\/td>\nStay the course and ride it out.<\/td>\nNorweigan<\/td>\n“Ikke svelg noen kameler.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To get stuffed with hay.<\/strong><\/td>\nGo away!<\/td>\nPolish<\/td>\n“Aby zosta\u0107 wypchanym sianem.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mustard after lunch.<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0it\u2019s too late to act because the opportunity has already passed.<\/td>\nPolish<\/td>\n“Musztarda po obiedzie.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Not my circus, not my monkeys.<\/strong><\/td>\nNot my problem.<\/td>\nPolish<\/td>\n“Nie m\u00f3j cyrk, nie moje ma\u0142py.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He who doesn\u2019t have a dog, hunts with cats.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou make the most of what you\u2019ve been given.<\/td>\nPortuguese<\/td>\n“Aquele que n\u00e3o tem ca\u00e7a ao c\u00e3o com gatos.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Take your little horse away from the rain.<\/strong><\/td>\nSomething\u2019s never going to happen.<\/td>\nPortuguese<\/td>\n“Leve o seu cavalinho para longe da chuva.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neither down nor feathers.<\/strong><\/td>\nGood luck.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u041d\u0438 \u043f\u0443\u0445\u0430, \u043d\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u044c\u0435\u0432.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neither heard nor smelt.<\/strong><\/td>\nNo news from someone.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u041d\u0438 \u0441\u043b\u044b\u0448\u0430\u0442\u044c, \u043d\u0438 \u043f\u0430\u0445\u0430\u0442\u044c.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To leave with the head.<\/strong><\/td>\nFully engrossed in something.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u0423\u0439\u0442\u0438 \u0441 \u0433\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0439.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To push off the sense.<\/strong><\/td>\nConfusing.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u0427\u0442\u043e\u0431\u044b \u043e\u0442\u0442\u043e\u043b\u043a\u043d\u0443\u0442\u044c \u0441\u043c\u044b\u0441\u043b.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To sit in a puddle.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo embarrass oneself.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u041f\u043e\u0441\u0438\u0434\u0435\u0442\u044c \u0432 \u043b\u0443\u0436\u0435.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
With the sleeves pulled down.<\/strong><\/td>\nDoing something carelessly.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u0421 \u0441\u0442\u044f\u043d\u0443\u0442\u044b\u043c\u0438 \u0440\u0443\u043a\u0430\u0432\u0430\u043c\u0438.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
If you don’t want to run with the wolves stay out of the forest.<\/strong><\/td>\nCan\u2019t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen!<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u0415\u0441\u043b\u0438 \u0432\u044b \u043d\u0435 \u0445\u043e\u0442\u0438\u0442\u0435 \u0431\u0435\u0433\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0441 \u0432\u043e\u043b\u043a\u0430\u043c\u0438, \u0434\u0435\u0440\u0436\u0438\u0442\u0435\u0441\u044c \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0430\u043b\u044c\u0448\u0435 \u043e\u0442 \u043b\u0435\u0441\u0430.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The tongue is well hung.<\/strong><\/td>\nSomeone is well spoken.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u042f\u0437\u044b\u043a \u0445\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0448\u043e \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0432\u0435\u0448\u0435\u043d.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To look through one’s fingers.<\/strong><\/td>\nTo ignore or turn a blind eye.<\/td>\nRussian<\/td>\n“\u0421\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u043f\u0430\u043b\u044c\u0446\u0430\u043c\u0438.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A cat in gloves catches no mice.<\/strong><\/td>\nNice guys always finish last.<\/td>\nSpanish<\/td>\n“Un gato con guantes no atrapa ratones.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A lot of noise and no walnuts.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou\u2019re all talk and no action.<\/td>\nSpanish<\/td>\n“Mucho ruido y sin nueces.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
If there\u2019s room in the heart, there\u2019s room for the butt.<\/strong><\/td>\nWe\u2019ll make room for you.<\/td>\nSwedish<\/td>\n“Finns det hj\u00e4rterum s\u00e5 finns det st\u00e4rterum.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slide in on a prawn sandwich.<\/strong><\/td>\nYou have an easy life.<\/td>\nSwedish<\/td>\n“Glid in p\u00e5 en r\u00e4ksm\u00f6rg\u00e5s.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> \u201cGenealogy\u201d logo designed and copyrighted by Mary Harrell-Sesniak.<\/p>\n

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