Words of Wisdom - Non sax related

[Jimmymack]

Well it never rains but it pours.

 

[Targa]

Fine words butter no parsnips.

 

[MikeMorrell]

What a great thread, @Vlad! Many thanks!

As I (very gradually) learned to speak Dutch, I also learned some Dutch 'words of wisdom'. In the form of proverbs and common expressions. Some which I could relate to equivalent EN proverbs and expressions. But not all. Many seem to be (deeply) embedded in the Dutch culture and history. As an amateur 'language nerd', I'm truly interested in reading 'wise words' from our international members.

So here's a short list of common Dutch proverbs and expressions at expatica.com. It's by no means complete but as you might expect, Dutch proverbs to focus on;
- shipping and trade
- farming
- weather

 

[mizmar]

As an amateur 'language nerd',

For you.

La meilleure façon d’apprendre une langue, c’est sur l’oreiller

It was a while after I took a French mistress that I leaned that this is just a play on words.

 

[Ghr9204]

Younger motorcyclists set a destination; older motorcyclists set a direction.

 

[Woodpad]

Where there's muck there's brass.
Should that go in the sax related @Jeanette?
(And you thought we'd be good while Pete is moving)

In Dutch brass is called messing.

 

[Jimmymack]

I was told that a common Dutch response to somebody moaning was “You make it yourself”.

Here’s a friendlier Scottish one

Lang may yer lum reek.

 

[mizmar]

Every couple has its moment.

(I never could remember why the physics teacher said that.)

My chemistry teacher was a Trotskyite and used to say

If you're not part of the solution,
You are part of the precipitate!

 

[Woodpad]

A Dutch expression for go ahead. using French is: Va votre corridor.

 

[Wonko]

A Dutch expression for go ahead. using French is: Va votre corridor.

ga je gang ........
bedenkelijke vertaling
I get the humourous intent, I just don't think it's that funny (sorry)

 

[Colin the Bear]

You can't dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.

80% of success is just showing up.

 

[Targa]

You can't dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.

80% of success is just showing up.

Unless you get all the way through to China.

 

[Vlad]

 

[Colin the Bear]

Unless you get all the way through to China.

Easier on a Slow boat. ⛵

 

[Ghr9204]

Work is 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration.

 

[mizmar]

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[Vlad]

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[Targa]

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