A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Proverbs (STS) no. 946 Littl said is soon mended. 1776 T. COGAN John Buncle, Junior

I. vi. Mum’s the word; least said is soonest mended. 1818 SCOTT Heart of Midlothian I.

vi. A fine preaching has he been at the night.. but maybe least said is sunest mended.

1960 MISS READ Fresh from Country xii. A quiet word.. should.. stop any further

talebearing, and I really think it’s a case of ‘least said, soonest mended.’ 1992 A.

LAMBERT Rather English Marriage (1993) xvii. 289 He was tempted to go down and

confront her,.. but he knew he was in the wrong. Least said, soonest mended: no good

creating a fuss now. discretion; speech and silence; tact

least see also IDLE people have the least leisure; who KNOWS most, speaks least.

There is nothing like LEATHER

Also used literally.

1692 R. L’ESTRANGE Fables of Aesop cccxlviii. There was a council of mechanics

called to advise about the fortifying of a city. .. Up starts a currier [a person who dressed

and coloured leather]; Gentlemen, says he, wheny’ave said all that can be said, there’s

nothing in the world like leather. 1837 F. PALGRAVE Merchant & Friar iv. King Log

[the birch] was.. forgotten. .. ‘Depend upon it, Sir, there is nothing like leather.’ 1892 I.

ZANGWILL Big Bow Mystery vi. Besides, meat might have reminded him too much of

his work. There is nothing like leather, but Bow beefsteaks occasionally come very near

it. 1909 Votes for Women 22 Oct. 63 Nothing like leather for Suffragettes’ wear.—Miss

M. Roberta Mills makes Ties, Bags, Belts, [etc.]. 1935 V. S. PRITCHETT (title) Nothing

like leather. 1937 C. ST. JOHN SPRIGG Six Queer Things v. 115 Morgan had a leathery

mind. There was no subtlety or sharpness about it, but it was tough. .. No amount of

discouragement or error wore it out. There is nothing like leather. strength and

weakness

leave see LET well alone.

leg see there goes more to MARRIAGE than four bare legs in a bed; everyone
STRETCHES his legs according to the length of his coverlet.

leisure see the BUSIEST men have the most leisure; IDLE people have the least leisure;
there is LUCK in leisure; MARRY in haste and repent at leisure.

lemon see if LIFE hands you lemons, make lemonade.