A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

together. 1980 R. HILL Spy’s Wife xxi. The family that spies together, sties together. Old

Cockney Russian proverb. 1996 Washington Post 15 Mar. B3 First, Mother Teresa opined

on the divorce of Princess Di and Prince Charles. .. ‘The family that prays together stays

together; and if you stay together, you will love one another with the same love with

which God loves each one of us.’ 2001 Times 22 Dec. 19 History has forgotten Catherine

Hogarth, as her husband [Charles Dickens] eventually did. Those who cook together stay

together. Maybe because they cannot decide who should get the blender. family

family see also ACCIDENTS will happen (in the best-regulated families).

far see BLUE are the hills that are far away; FAIR and softly goes far in a day; GOD is
high above, and the tsar is far away; the MOUNTAINS are high, and the emperor is far away.

fare see GO further and fare worse.

FAR-FETCHED and dear-bought is good for ladies

Expensive or exotic articles are suitable for women.

c 1350 Douce MS 52 no. 7 Ferre ifet and dere i-bowght is goode for ladys. 1583 B.

MELBANCKE Philotimus 18 Pallas.. is.. hard to be found, but easy to be intreated, to be

farre fetchte & deare boughte, but that we say is good for Ladies. 1616 JONSON Epicœne

V. 163 When his cates [delicacies] are all in brought, Though there be none far fet, there

will dear-bought, Be fit for ladies. 1738 SWIFT Polite Conversation i. 60 But you know,

far-fetch’d and dear-bought is fit for Ladies. I warrant, this cost your Father Two pence

half-penny. 1876 I. BANKS Manchester Man III. x. ‘Where did these beautiful things

come from?’.. ‘India.. They are “far-fetched and dear-bought”, and so must be good for

you, my lady.’ novelty; taste

fashion see BETTER be out of the world than out of the fashion; when the GORSE is out
of bloom, kissing’s out of fashion.

fast see BAD news travels fast; a MONEYLESS man goes fast through the market.

fastest see he TRAVELS fastest who travels alone.

fasting see it’s ill speaking between a FULL man and a fasting.