A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

could not.. go in for law. 1916 JOYCE Portrait of Artist (1967) iv. You must be quite

sure, Stephen, that you have a vocation because it would be terrible if you found

afterwards that you had none. Once a priest always a priest, remember. 2002 Washington

Times 14 June A1 ‘Once a priest, always a priest’ is a fundamental belief among

Catholics. But that tenet may be tested as bishops consider firing hundreds of priests.

constancy and inconstancy

ONCE a whore, always a whore

1613 H. PARROT Laquei Ridiculosi II. cxxi. Well you may change your name, But

once a Whore, you shall be still the same. 1659 N. R. Proverbs 82 Once a whore and

alwaies a whore. 1754 World 31 Jan. 344 Supposing him to have acquired so much

wealth, the proverb of ‘Once a whore, and always a whore’, is less significant. 1824 H.

MARSHALL Hist. Kentucky II. v. ‘Once a prostitute, and always a prostitute,’ is a fair

mode of argument—at least, among politicians. 1981 N. LOFTS Old Priory v. iii. There

is a saying, ‘Once a whore, always a whore.’ constancy and incontancy; wrong-doers

ONCE bitten, twice shy

The variant once burned, twice shy is particularly common in the US, perhaps influenced
by a BURNT child dreads the fire.

1853 SURTEES Sponge’s Sporting Tour xxxvii. Jawleyford had been bit once, and

he was not going to give Mr. Sponge a second chance. 1894 G. F. NORTHALL Folk-

Phrases 20 Once bitten, twice shy. 1920 CONRAD Rescue III. ix. Once bit twice shy. He

had no mind to be kidnapped. 1949 ‘S. STERLING’ Dead Sure xv. She was especially on

her guard.. because she’d been victimized in a stupid swindle herself, recently. Once

burned, twice shy, you know. 1981 H. ENGEL Ransom Game xvi. I can’t imagine why

this man would be harassing my wife again, Mr. Cooperman. You’d think ‘Once burned,

twice shy’, wouldn’t you. 1998 Times 7 Jan. 27/6 Once bitten, twice shy when thinking of

certain shops. experience

once see also you can only DIE once; FOOL me once, shame on you.. ; MEASURE seven
times, cut once; MEASURE twice, cut once; THINK twice, cut once.

When ONE door shuts, another opens

1586 D. ROWLAND tr. Lazarillo D3V This proverbe was fulfild, when one doore is