A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Cf. CATO THE ELDER in Aulus Gellius Noctes Atticae XIII. xviii. 1 (saepe audivi) inter
os atque offam multa intervenire posse, (I have often heard) that many things can come
between mouth and morsel; PALLADAS (attrib.) in Anthologia Palatina x. 32

there are many things between the cup and
the edge of the lip.

1539 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages 15 Many thynges fall betwene the cuppe

and the mouth. .. Betwene the cuppe and the lyppes maye come many casualties. 1783 in

Collections of Massachusetts Hist. Society (1877) 5th Ser. II. 216 Have a care, and

remember the old proverb of’many a slip,’ &c. 1840 R. H. BARHAM Ingoldsby Legends

1st Ser. 280 Doubtless the adage, ‘There’s many a slip ‘Twixt the cup and the lip,’ hath

reference to medicine. 1979 E. KYLE Summer Scandal xiii. ‘I thought you were here for

life.’.. ‘There’s many a slip between cup and lip.’ disappointment; error

MANY are called but few are chosen

With allusion to MATTHEW xxii. 14 (AV) For many are called, but few are chosen.

1871 J. S. JONES Life J. S. Batkins xxviii. The saying that ‘many shall be called, but

few chosen.’ 1980 P. VAN GREENAWAY Dissident iii. ‘Many are called.. but few are

chosen.’ He’s right. Those of us conscious of our destinies may fairly be termed

‘elitistes’. choice; fate and fatalism

MANY hands make light work

Cf. HESIOD Works & Days 380 more hands mean more
work; ERASMUS Adages II. iii. 95 multae manus onus levius reddunt, many hands make a
burden lighter.

c 1330 Sir Beves (EETS) 1. 3352 Ascopard be strong and sterk [physically

powerful], Mani hondes maketh light werk! 1678 S. BUTLER Hudibras III. ii. Most

Hands dispatch apace, And make light work, (the proverb says). 1721 J. KELLY Scottish

Proverbs 244 Many Hands make light Work. Because it is but little to every one. 1923

Observer 11 Feb. 9 What is the use of saying that ‘Many hands make light work’ when

the same copy-book tells you that ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’? 2002 B. D’AMATO

White Male Infant i. 16 Tony immediately began to prepare the bone marrow..His

assistant..simultaneously ran up smears with less usual stains.. Many hands make light

work. assistance; work