The ISIHAC
Foreign Proverbs Page

Last Updated
28 Dec 2009

On the BBC Radio 4 show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, one of the rounds includes suggestions for proverbs sayings that could be adapted for foreign use. Here are some of the teams' suggestions, along with some of my suggestions. If you have any ideas you would like included, please e-mail me here, and I will add the best ones (with full credit to you of course)

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Germany: Laughter is the best medicine, but unfortunately it's not available on the National Health. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Israel: Never buy a pig... Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Scotland: Where there's Muck...there's Rhum & Eigg. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
In Spain they have a warning about congestion: Never put all your Basques in one exit. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Holland: If the cap fits...put it in. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
France: Don't teach your grandmother to suck existentialists. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
In Northern Germany, the slogan outside Hans Krupp's Weapons Superstore: Cold Hans, War Mart. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
The Balkans: See a pin & pick it up, & all day you'll be wondering where the grenade is. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Washington: Where there's a Will, there's a wey-hey-hey! Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Ireland: Don't put the cart before the horse: actually it's not a proverb, it's just an instruction manual. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Eastbourne: There's no time like the...er...what is it now? Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Rome: Milton Keynes was built in a day! Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
In Africa, in the Serengeti game park they say: Pride comes before...a bad moment for a gazelle. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
In Russia, in Chernobyl they say: Two heads are better than one. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Norway: Never look a pissed-Norse in the mouth. Nottingham
21 Jun 1999
Hollywood: You can't make an omelette without Kenneth Branagh. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
North Africa: Once bitten, twice as likely to get rabies. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
France: Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, British sheep are on fire. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Israel: Don't teach your grandmother to bungee jump. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Germany: A bad workman always mends your bath. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Germany: Early to bed. Early to rise. Makes a man healthy, wealthy and sure of a sunbed. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Spain: Empty vessels mean the fish are hidden in a secret hold. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
France: Don't put Descartes before the horse. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Australia: Birds of a feather...is a terrible British sitcom. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Transylvania: You can't get blood out of a stoat. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
France: Better late than Belgian. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Weightwatchers Europe: You can't have your cake, I've eaten it. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
From the Zen book of proverbs: Tomorrow is today, yesterday. Brighton
28 Jun 1997
Spain: There are plenty more fish in your sea. Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Italy: Accidents will happen in the best regulated families in Sicily! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Russia: Don't put new wine into old Boris. Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Holland: If the cap fits...you're safe! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Japan: Get rid of the scavenging birds before you bring the harvest in - Rook before you Reap! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
France: Le Penn is mightier than President Chirac! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Eastern Europe: You can't bloody get out of Estonia! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Australia: Love is blind...so brace yourself, Sheila! Liverpool
09 Nov 1996
Belgium: In for a penny, in for a 0.66 of a Euro.
China: Love me, eat my dog.
France: One man's meat is another man's poisson.
Germany: Achtungs speak louder than words.
Hollywood: Don't cross Lloyd bridges until you come to him.
India: Beggars can't be avoided.
Middle East: The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword is more humane.
Scotland: Cleanliness is next to Inverness.
Scotland: He who pays the piper will be held personally responsible.
Spain: There are plenty more fish in your sea. Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Italy: Accidents will happen in the best regulated families in Sicily! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Russia: Don't put new wine into old Boris. Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Holland: If the cap fits...you're safe! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Japan: Get rid of the scavenging birds before you bring the harvest in - Rook before you Reap! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
France: Le Penn is mightier than President Chirac! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Eastern Europe: You can't bloody get out of Estonia! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
Australia: Love is blind...so brace yourself, Sheila! Best Of ISIHAC 3/3
20 Apr 1998
(d?) after venue signifies a query regarding the Date of broadcast,
(??) signifies a query regarding Venue of broadcast


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