Language is a wonderful thing. How long has it been since you heard some of the old and odd sayings, the kind that our great-great parents used. They were passed on from generation to generation yet in our modern time; many of them have been lost.
Mark the ones you have never heard. Mark the ones in a different color of those you have heard and forgotten. Then mark the ones you still use today.
When I was on the SPEAKER’S TOUR (27 YEARS), I would ask the audience to bring in all the old sayings and I would compile then in one of my books (See “How to Raise Kids Right”). Let me share some of them with you now.
“It’s a great day in the morning”. “I’m tired as a galley slave”. “He’s nutty as a fruitcake.” “The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.” “The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” “He’s so lazy he became an idle worshiper.” “She looked like something from the backside of nowhere.” “Every tub shall sit on its own bottom.” “If it’s worth doing, its worth doing right.” “A stitch in time saves nine.” “What’s meat for the goose is gravy for the gander.”
“They’re just climbing fool’s hill.” “Pretty is as pretty does”. “A word to the wise is always sufficient.” “Keep your knees kissing and you’ll keep out of trouble.” “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.’ If a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his bottom when he hops.” “I’m gone to jerk a knot in your tail.” “I’ll whip you till your hide won’t hold shucks.” “They are as common as pig tracks.” “If that’s music, the woods are full of it.” “You ought to be on a stage, one leaves tonight at ten.” “When you go elephant hunting, carry an elephant gun.” “No rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t need none.” “Now won’t that just cork your pistol?” “Everything happens for the best”. “Why, I know his hide in a tan yard.” “When they are little they will trample on your feet. When they get older they’ll trample on your heart.” “I’ll turn you over my checkered apron.” “I feel like 30 cents with the three rubbed off.” Give me flowers while I’m living.” “That coffee is as strong as 40 axes.” There is no hope at the end of the rope.” “When you come to the end of your rope tie a knot in it and hang on.” “I’m going to whip you till your rear end barks like a red fox.” “My get up and go just got up and went.” “He’s bald as a cue ball.” “When it’s dark enough look for the stars.” “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” “Don’t that just tickle you pink?” “That doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.” “Don’t that just beat hen-a-pecking?” “You don’t have to tell who you are or what you done – It’ll tell for you.” “It just too wet to plow.” “He’s up salt creek without a paddle.” “Mabel, Mabel, if you’re able get your elbows off the table.” “I told you a million times not to exaggerate.” When we had visitors for dinner, grandpa used to say, “Bless the meat, shuck the skin, turn up your plates and dig right in.” “One boy is a whole boy (good worker). Two boys are a half boy (half worker) and three boys ain’t no work done at all.” “Now you’re cooking on gas on all four burners.” “Oh, Criminey Kraut”. “I’m as happy as if I had good sense.” “You are as dumb as a box of rocks.” “Never worry about what people think of you – just think how seldom they do.” “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” “Don’t that just rot your garters.” “People are more human than anybody.” “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” “He’s as quiet as a church mouse.” “He’s as dead as a door nail.” “She’s as ugly as home-made sin.” “Whatever is born in blood cannot be beat out of the flesh.” “You have to be a friend to have a friend.” “Don’t just give it a lick and a promise.” “Shoot at something, even though you miss.” “Smile child or you may step on your lip.” “Doesn’t that just cock your rifle?” “Men don’t grow up – they grow old”. “That tastes so good it will make your tongue slap your brains out.” “He got so broad minded his brains fell out.” “Hog dog take it all”. “Keep your dress down and your knees together.” “Be sure to look everybody square in the eye.” “Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?” “He was cheap as dirt.” “Say yes’m or no’m or say nothing at all.” “I was feeling better but I got over it.” “There’s no fool like an old fool.” “You have horns if you die butt-headed.” “The guilty dog barks first.” “Wantin’ ain’t gittin’.” “I’m jam up and jelly right.” “There’s never a right way to do a wrong thing.” “If you lay down with dogs you’re going to get up with fleas.”
James writes, “But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil; full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we man who is made in the likeness of God” (James 3:8-9).