As They Say In Zanzibar. David Crystal

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      1 Where the needle goes the thread must follow POLAND

      2 No needle is sharp at both ends CHINA

      3 A hot needle burns the thread CÔTE D’IVOIRE

      4 One thread for the needle, one love for the heart SUDAN

      5 A needle cannot hold two threads or a mind two thoughts ETHIOPIA

      6 Better be stung by a nettle than pricked by a rose ENGLAND

      7 The more you squeeze a nettle the less it stings GERMANY

      8 That which is to become a good nettle must sting early SWEDEN

      9 Never feed a dog with corn, nor attempt to pick your teeth with a pair of scissors CHINA

      10 Dull scissors can’t cut straight USA

      11 Even in the sheath the knife must be sharp FINLAND

      12 Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger, but a heart as soft as tofu CHINA

      13 It is easy to hurt yourself on a stone that has sharp corners KOREA

      14 It takes a long time to sharpen a hammer made of wood NETHERLANDS

      15 It is very difficult to beat a drum with a sickle NIGERIA

      16 Beware of a person’s shadow and a bee’s sting MYANMAR

      17 Bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails FRANCE

      18 If you run away from a mosquito the sharper will its sting be SLOVENIA

      19 Those who want the rose must also take the thorns GERMANY

      20 Use a thorn to extract a thorn INDIA

      1 The roughest stone becomes smooth when it is much rolled SWITZERLAND

      2 A dry spoon scratches the mouth RUSSIA

      3 Short hair is soon brushed GERMANY

      4 Custom is rust that mocks at every file BOHEMIA

      5 On a level road a small stone upsets the cartload ESTONIA

      6 The roughest stone becomes smooth when it is much rolled SWITZERLAND

      7 A smooth way makes the foot slip ESTONIA

      8 If you pick the fluff from a blanket it comes to pieces INDIA

      9 Better a crease in the shoe than a blister on the toe ESTONIA

      10 Crooked furrows grow straight grain CANADA

      1 The cork is always bigger than the mouth of the bottle ESTONIA

      2 An old story does not open the ear as a new one does NIGERIA11 PHONETIC STRUCTUREThe memorability of a proverb is considerably enhanced by its phonetic structure, especially in its use of repeated initial sounds (alliteration) and a balanced rhythm. These features are noticeable in the proverbs of all languages, though they are not always translatable. English proverbs on the whole make relatively little use of phonetic features, so that when they do occur, they stand out.AlliterationFull of courtesy, full of craft.There’s crust and crumb in every loaf.Metrical rhythmAbsence makes the heart grow fonder.Actions speak louder than words.RhymePray devoutly but hammer stoutly.A good cat deserves a good rat.Rhyme and rhythm combinedAn apple a day keeps the doctor away.No land without stones, or meat without bones.

      3 To open a shop is easy; to keep it open is an art CHINA

      4 If they do not open after three knocks, do not wait POLAND

      5 Open your mouth before you eat MAURITANIA

      6 The dogs will go into the corner that’s open SCOTLAND

      7 The eyes close in sleep, but the pillow remains awake MALAYSIA

      8 A closed mouth catches no flies ENGLAND

      9 Nothing enters into a closed hand SCOTLAND

      10 Steal a bell with your ears covered CHINA

      11 Those who want the last drop out of the can get the lid on their nose NETHERLANDS

      12 The devil makes pots, but not always lids ITALY: SARDINIA

      13 Old purses shut badly NETHERLANDS

      14 In buying horses and in taking a wife, shut your eyes tight and commend yourself to God ITALY

      15 All are not asleep who have their eyes shut GERMANY

      16 If two people tell you you are blind, shut one eye GEORGIA

      17 If you want to catch a wild horse, find a tight corral HAITI

      18 It’s no good locking the stable door after the horse is stolen ENGLANDSee also: 67 DOORS – WINDOWS – KEYS

      1 When a man eats, his own beard moves and not another’s TOGO

      2 As long as life lasts, the cow never stops moving its tail NIGERIA

      3 Move your neck according to the music ETHIOPIA

      4 The moon moves slowly, but it gets across the town CÔTE D’IVOIRE

      5 Pride only goes the length one can spit REPUBLIC OF CONGO

      6 A boat does not go forward if everyone rows their own way KENYA

      7 Driftwood never goes upstream USA

      8 Dead fish go always with the stream ENGLAND

      9 Where the needle goes the thread must follow POLAND

      10 If the swing goes forward it will go backward too SRI LANKA

      11 You must go behind the door to mend old breeches ENGLAND

      12 The sigh goes further than the shout SCOTLAND

      13 Money makes the world go round USA

      14 The tongue always goes to the aching СКАЧАТЬ