A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

bring rain, For forty days it will remain. weather lore

On SAINT Thomas the Divine kill all turkeys, geese, and swine

The feast-day of St. Thomas the Apostle has been traditionally celebrated on 21 December
in the West.

1742 Agreeable Companion 59 Thomas Divine, Brewing and Baking, and Killing of

Swine. 1846 M. A. DENHAM Proverbs relating to Seasons, &c. 64 The day of St.

Thomas, the blessed divine, Is good for brewing, baking, and killing fat swine. 1979 C.

MORSLEY News from English Countryside 164 This couplet reminded farmers of the

day on which they should make their last slaughters for the Christmas table. On St.

Thomas the Divine Kill all turkeys, geese and swine. calendar lore

saint see also the DEVIL was sick, the Devil a saint would be.. ; the GREATER the sinner,
the greater the saint; YOUNG saint, old devil.

Help you to SALT, help you to sorrow

1666 G. TORRIANO Italian Proverbs 245 At table, one ought not to present any

one, either salt, or the head of any creature. 1872 J. GLYDE Norfolk Garland i. The

spilling of salt is very ominous, and the proverb is well known: Help me to salt, Help me

to sorrow. 1945 F. THOMPSON Lark Rise xxxvi. No one would at table spoon salt on to

another person’s plate, for ‘Help you to salt, help you to sorrow’. 1969 ‘S. MAYS’

Reuben’s Corner xiv. There was no end to the prohibitions we learned as youngsters...

Never help anyone to salt: Help you to salt, help you to sorrow. misfortune;

superstition

Saturday see Monday’s CHILD is fair of face.

What’s SAUCE for the goose is sauce for the gander

What is suitable for a woman is suitable for a man. The proverb is also occasionally used
in non-sexist contexts.

1670 J. RAY English Proverbs 98 That that’s good sawce for a goose, is good for a

gander. ..This is a woman’s Proverb. 1692 R. L’ESTRANGE Fables of Aesop cccii. Sauce