Adages, the oral transfer of knowledge between generations

Adages

Bumper-Stickers

Derisive

French

Movie-Lines

Names

Proverbs

Spanish

Three

Latin

Here you will find a list of over seven hundred adages people use everyday to improve their lives. An adage is a short saying that transmits wisdom. Before people knew how to read and write, they passed knowledge by word of mouth. The word adage comes from Latin adagium (saying), formed by the prefix ad- (to, toward, about) and agium (from the verb agio, I say). ;

It's raining cats and dogs!
It's the straw that broke the camel's back. (Thank you: Carolyn)
It's time to pay the fiddler! (When you dance all night, at the end of the dance you must pay those who make the music -- my mother always said this when it was time to suffer the consequences of my actions. - Thank you: Robin)
Jack of all trades, and a master of none. (Thank you: Virginia)
Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are.
Keep your ear to the ground. (Be alert)
Keep your eye on the ball (Thank you: Dr. Bob)
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. (Thank you: Q)
Keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool, open it and remove all doubt. (Thank you: Ken Gilliland)
Keep your nose to the grindstone! (Distinct odors emitted when millstones/grindstones reach replacement stage predict explosions. - Thank you: James)
Keep your nose to the wind and eyes along the skyline (Always have a good sense of your surroundings - Thank you: Jim Ward)
Keep your shoulder to the wheel (If you want to achieve, stick to it - Thank you: Dr. Bob)
Kill them with kindness. (When somebody is rude to you, be kind to them and they will come around) - Thank you: Emmajean King)
Killing two birds with one stone (Solving two problems with one solution.)
Knock on wood (for good luck.)
Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone. (Thank you: James 1941)
Laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter is the cheapest medicine.
Lazy people have to work twice as hard. (Thank you: Lisa S. - Lazy people will do anything, to avoid doing something.)
Leave it better than you found it. (Thank you: Judy)
Legends never die, they simply fade away.
Less is more. (Thank you: Debbie)
Let it ride.
Let sleeping dogs lie. (Thank you: Dr. Bob)
Let your conscience be your guide. It won't lie to you. (Thank you: Nellie B)

Total: 816