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English speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings, Axioms or Proverbs on Sheep
o As gentle as a lamb
o The black sheep of the family (Someone who is perceived by the rest of the family as being irresponsible or unsuccessful).
o Like a lamb.
o Like a lamb to the slaughter.
o A mutton dressed up as a lamb (Meaning: An older woman who dresses too young for her age.).
o One scabbed sheep mars the whole flock.
o There's a black sheep in every flock.
o To separate the sheep from the goats (Meaning: to separate things that have quality and those that do not.).
o A wolf in sheep's clothing (Meaning: Someone who pretends to be nice but is actually not nice at all.). | Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The Library of Congress # 3g0212r
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Spanish Speaking Countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Spanish Folk Sayings, Idioms, or Proverbs on Sheep
o in English translation (literally): He went looking for wool and came back shorn.
Meaning: If you go for something, it might end up hurting you.
English equivalent: All that glitters isn't gold.
Spanish original: Fue por lana y solia trasquilado. | Contributed by: Image Courtesy of New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #823601
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English speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings, Axioms or Proverbs on Rabbits
o Breed like rabbits (Meaning: Refers to individuals who have lots of children -- often used as a put-down.).
o Like a rabbit caught in the headlights (Meaning: Being so afraid, one can't move or do a thing to help oneself.).
| Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1258799
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Spanish speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Spanish Folk Sayings, Idioms, Proverbs on Rabbits
o in English translation: A cat for a rabbit
Meaning: To cheat someone.
Spanish original: Gato por liebre.
| Contributed by: Image Courtesy of New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #823465
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English speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings, Axioms or Proverbs on Foxes
o As sly as a fox.
o A fox smells in its own lair first.
o A fox smells its own stink.
o Stupidity is sending the goose on a mission to the fox's den.
o When the fox preaches, beware the geese.
| Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #481331
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French speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: French Folk Sayings, Idioms or Proverbs on Foxes
o You can't marry a hen and a fox.
| Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #481329
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German speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: German Folk Sayings, Axioms or Proverbs on Foxes
o in English translation (Literally): Old foxes go with difficulty into the trap.
Meaning: The old and wise are less likely to get tricked.
German original: Alte fuchse gehen schwer in die falle. | Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #822654
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English speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings, Idioms or Proverbs on Birds
B
o A bird-brain (Meaning: Someone who is dumb.).
o A bird in hand is worth two in the bush (What you have in your possession is worth more than what you want to have, but don't have as yet.).
o A bird's eye view.
o The birds and the bees.
o Birds of a feather flock together. Or, Birds of a feather stick together. (Meaning: People like to hang around with those who have the same interests.).
E
o An eagle eye.
o An early bird.
o The eagle does not catch flies.
o The early bird catches the worm. Or, The early bird gets the worm.
o The early bird catches the worm. Or, The early bird gets the worm.
o The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese.
o Every bird loves to hear himself sing.
o Eat crow (Meaning: Admitting you were wrong.).
o Eat like a bird (Meaning: To eat very small amounts.).
o Every bird likes its own nest.
o Every mother thinks her own gosling a swan.
F
o Fine feathers make fine birds.
o Flying down the road like a bat out of hell.
o For the birds (Meaning: Something that has no value.).
G
o Go that way 10 miles as the crow flies. (Archaic)
H
o He that fears every bush must never go a-birding.
o The honey is sweet but the bee has a sting.
I
o It's a dirty bird that won't keep its own nest clean.
o It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
K
o Kill two birds with one stone (Meaning: Can do two things at once. Or, be efficient).
L
o A little bird told me (Meaning: When one is unwilling to divulge the source of information one has, one might say in jest that the source was a bird.).
N
o Nightingales will not sing in a cage.
S
o A single swallow doth not the summer make (Meaning: One spark of hope does not mean all is well.).
Y
o You can kill two birds with one stone (Meaning it's possible to do two things at the same time.).
| Contributed by: Courtesy of the New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #821205
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French speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: French Folk Sayings, Axioms and Proverbs on Birds
E
o in English translation: (Literally) EAT blackbirds if you can't have thrushes.
- English equivalent: Half a loaf is better than no bread.
- French original: Faute de grives on mange des merles.
L
o in English translation: A LITTLE bird told me.
French original: MOn petit doigt me l'a dit.
o in English translation (literally): LITTLE by little the bird builds its nest.
French original: Petit a petit l'oiseau fait son nid.
T
o To every bird its nest seems fair.
o To scare a bird is not the way to catch it.
o Too late the bird cries out when it is caught.
o Two sparrows on the same ear of corn are not long friends.
W
o When the cage is ready the bird is flown.
Y
o in English translation (literally): YOU can't turn a buzzard/a dolt into a sparrow hawk.
- Equivalent: You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
- French original: On ne peux faire d'une buse un epervier.
| Contributed by: Image Courtesy of the New York Public Library, Digital Gallery # 108363
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German speaking countries | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: German Folk Sayings, Idioms or Proverbs on Birds
C
o in English translation: Carrying owls to Athens.
Meaning: a pointless exercise or activity.
German original: Eulen nach Athen tragen.
E
o in English translation: Eat, bird, or die! (Eat or die!).
Meaning: You're in a sticky situation where you don't have much of a choice among a wide variety of gourmet meals. And/or You've got to make do with some unpleasant prospect because the alternative is even worse.
Equivalent: It's sink or swim.
German original: Friss vogel, oder stirb!
I
o in ENGLISH translation (literally): If the cock crows on the dung heap, the weather will change or stay the wait it is.
Meaning: The opinion of loud but insignificant people has no influence on the world.
GERMAN original: Kraht der Hahn auf dem Mist, andert sich's Wetter oder's bleibt wie's ist.
O
o One swallow doesn't make summer (Meaning: One spark of hope does not mean all is well.).
S
o in English translation: A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon (or dove) on the roof.
Equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
German original: Besser ein spatz i der hand, als eine taube auf dem dach.
T
o in English translation: To carry owls to Athens.
- Equivalent: To carry coals to Newcastle.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #820210
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