A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

1539 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages A4V Kynges haue longe handes. They can

brynge in men, they can pluck in thinges, though they be a great weye of. 1578 LYLY

Euphues I. 221 Knowest thou not Euphues that kinges haue long armes, and rulers large

reches? 1752 B. FRANKLIN Poor Richard’s Almanack (Jan.) Kings haue long Arms, but

misfortune longer. 1927 P. B. NOYES Pallid Giant iii. ‘How will you insure Markham’s

safety if he takes refuge here?’.. ‘Governments, proverbially, have long arms.’ 1975 D.

DUNNETT Checkmate V. x. 536 ‘I would ask you to be very careful.. in your doings

when you return to Scotland. I have a long arm.’ ‘Monseigneur: you have no arm at all,’

Lymond said, ‘unless England allows you a sleeve for it.’ justice and injustice; power

kirtle see NEAR is my kirtle, but nearer is my smock.

kiss see an APPLE-PIE without some cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.

There is always one who KISSES, and one who turns the cheek

French in origin: Il y a toujours l’un qui baise, et l’autre qui tend le joue (quoted in Emma
B. Cobb ‘What Did Miss Darrington See?’ in Harper’s Monthly, 1870).

1903 G. B. SHAW Man and Superman 40 Oh, I know you dont care very much about

Tavy. But there is always one who kisses and one who only allows the kiss. Tavy will

kiss; and you will only turn the cheek. And you will throw him over if anybody better

turns up. 1933 J. GALSWORTHY Over the River 267 ‘In your experience, sir, are the

feelings of lovers towards each other ever the same?’ ‘I have no experience.’ ‘No

experience? You know the French proverb as to there being always one who kisses and

the other who offers the cheek to the kiss?’ 1951 N. MONSARRAT Cruel Sea 274 With

calm despair, he stirred himself to sum up what was in his mind, what was in his life..

Presently he muttered, aloud: ‘Il y en a toujours l’un qui baise, et l’un qui tourne la joue.’

2002 M. BYWATER in Independent on Sunday 3 Nov. (online) The French have it that

there is always one who kisses, one who turns the cheek; but things change where the

heart is concerned, and there’s no guarantee that because you began as cheek-turner you

may not end up as the victim of an adamant devotion. love, blighted

KISSING goes by favour

1616 T. DRAXE Adages 62 Kissing commeth by fauour. 1621 BURTON Anatomy of

Melancholy II. iii. Offices are not alwaies given..for worth. [note] Kissing goes by

Favour. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 225 Kissing goes by Favour. Men shew

Regard, or do Service, to People as they affect. 1880 BLACKMORE Mary Anerley II. iii.