Our parents had a lot of sayings when we were growing up! And they still apply to situations today! They may sound old-fashioned to some people, but there’s a lot of wisdom in these sayings from back in the day. These are some of the sayings we heard nearly every day. Read on for words of wisdom from generations past.
12) That dog won’t hunt
Back when dogs were used for hunting this phrase had a lot of weight. A dog that wouldn’t hunt had no place on the farm, much like bad excuses and useless items.
11) Patience is a virtue
Possess it if you can…found seldom in a woman and never in a man.
10) If wishes were horses
…then beggars would ride. Maybe some of you grew up with “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim.”
9) Silence is golden
Oh, how many times did we hear this one growing up? Too many to count. It’s still true, though.
8) If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?
This phrase was a favorite of teachers across the country when we were young!
7) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Still useful, even if we’re not hunting birds so often these days!
It’s the sayings about money and cooking that seem to be the most everlasting- it seems like one or the other is always off somehow! These sayings will never be untrue because they speak to the most basic problems we face everyday. They get to the heart of what’s important in life which is probably why our parents and grandparents used them so much.
6) A penny saved is a penny earned
Anyone who lived through the Depression had this saying etched in their mind and it’s helpful for those wanting to save today. With all the in-app purchases and online deals it’s hard to remember that all those pennies add up.
5) Silk purse from a sow’s ear
This one’s a bit rough, but most of us had plenty of experiences like this growing up. We had to make do with what was on hand and it taught us to be creative.
4) Don’t borrow trouble
This is one for the ages! Of all the things we cannot see coming down the road, trouble is one thing we never need more of! That means treating people with respect and keeping gossip to yourself, among other things.
3) A watched pot never boils
Truer words were never spoken. The watching just seems to make it take longer!
2) Better to bend than to break
We don’t hear this often enough these days, but it applies to so many areas of life. It’s amazing what a little compromise can get you.
1) Make hay while the sun shines
If you waste time your opportunity might disappear. Seems like we heard this one all the time!
There’s no question that these old-fashioned sayings are still relevant today. These timeless pieces of wisdom will no doubt remain as useful as ever- provided that people still use them! And, if you’ve ever wondered where we get some of our commonly-used phrases then click here to read about the origins of some popular sayings.
