A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

O

When the OAK is before the ash, then you will only get a splash; when the ash is
before the oak, then you may expect a soak

A traditional way of predicting whether the summer will be wet or dry on the basis of
whether the oak or the ash is first to come into leaf in the spring.

1852 Notes & Queries 1st Ser. V. 581 When the oak comes out before the ash, there

will be fine weather in harvest. I.. find it generally correct. 1911 Times Literary

Supplement 4 Aug. 285 One of the commonest weather rhymes in most parts of England

deals with the budding of the oak and the ash:—When the oak’s before the ash Then

you’ll only get a splash, When the ash is before the oak Then you may expect a soak. But

in North Germany the signs are exactly inverted, and also in Cornwall. 1987 Daily

Telegraph 22 June 12 My farmer neighbour and myself have always been great believers

in the saying: ‘Ash before oak, we’ll get a soak Oak before ash, we’ll only have a splash.’

weather lore

Beware of an OAK, it draws the stroke; avoid an ash, it counts the flash; creep under
the thorn, it can save you from harm

Advice on where to shelter from lightning during a thunderstorm.

1878 Folk-Lore Record I. 43 Mothers teach their children to say—Beware of an oak,

It draws the stroke; Avoid an ash; It counts the flash; Creep under the thorn, It can save

you from harm. 1945 F. THOMPSON Lark Rise xvii. Some one would.. warn him to keep

away from trees during a thunderstorm. .. Others would quote: Under oak there comes a

stroke, Under elm there comes a calm, And under ash there comes a crash. necessity;

security

oak see also GREAT oaks from little acorns grow; LITTLE strokes fell great oaks; a
REED before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall.

obedience see the FIRST duty of a soldier is obedience.

He that cannot OBEY cannot command