Old Sayings

I was thinking about some of those comments that used to show up in conversations some years ago. Things like “two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar.” Just what was a bit? “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” that one pretty much explains itself. Then there was the one I disliked the most, used by my grandmother a lot, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I used to argue with Grandma and Mom a lot about that one.

What about, “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I must say many of us of the older generation relate to this one well. Then there were a couple other sayings that took a little age to understand, like “Beauty is only skin deep,” and “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” How many times did you hear your parents say, “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” or “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”

Growing up with Depression Era parents, the term “Waste not want not” was used very often. A favorite for the man of the house was often, “If it is not broke, don’t fix it.” Then, an all-time favorite, “Shave and a hair cut, six bits.” I am sure that you would all be able to share many more. Have a fun day letting these old sayings pop up in your mind.