August thunder indications do not come alone: one thunder storm will follow another. September thunder indicates a good crop of grain and fruit. In Germany thunder in September is thought to indicate snow in February and March and a large crop of grapes. November thunder indicates that the coming year will be fertile. December thunder indicates good weather. Old English Weather Signs. Ughun is water on the fire. (Hindustani). "September and October (Coar) is but the gate of cold. October and November (Cártic) ends, yet scarcely told. November and December (Ughun) just lets water seethe. December and January (Poos) makes us but in corners breathe. January and February (Magh) lengthens by minute degrees; But February and March (P'hagun) straightens out our knees; Then March and April (Cheyt) the pleasant year replaces And dirty fellows wash their faces." By the time it takes to boil water does the day lengthen. When February gives snow, it fine weather foreshows. (Norman). When fine weather is lost, it will come from the North. (Welsh). "When rain is lost, it will come from the East." When small water snakes leave the sand in low damp lands, frost may be expected in three days. (Apache Indians). When the cat lies on its brain, it is going to rain. (English). "Lies on its brain"-i.e., lies on its back. "When a cat sneezes, it is a sign of rain." "When a cat scratches the table legs a change in the weather is coming." "If the cat washes her face o'er the ear, 'tis a sign the weather 'ill be fine and clear." "When cats wipe their jaws with their feet, it is a sign of rain." "The cardinal point to which a cat turns and waxes her face after a rain, shows the direction from which the wind will blow." "The old woman promised a fine day on the morrow, because the cat's skin looked bright." "When a cat scratches itself, or scratches on a log or tree, it indicates rain." "When sparks are seen on stroking a cat's back, expect a change of weather." When a cat washes its face with its back to the fire, expect a thaw in winter." (English). "When the cat lies in the sun in February, she will creep behind the stove in March.' (English, German). "Cats wash their faces before a thaw." "Cats sit with their backs to the fire before snow." "Cats scratch a wall or a post before wind." (Scotch). "Putting a cat under a pot brings bad weather." (Irish). "When the cat turns toward the north and licks its face the wind will soon blow from that direction." (Greek) When the clouds fly like the wings of the partridge and when a widow smiles, one is going to rain and the other to marry. (Behar). When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen. (English). "As the days begin to shorten, the heat begins to scorch them.' (English). When there is thunder rain falls. (Marathi). This is not used so much as a weather proverb as a saying to indicate that when the master of the house is angry the members of his family weep. WIT AND HUMOUR IN PROVERBS A blind man can see his mouth. (Irish). A cat will be a small thing to an old dame who swallowed an elephant. (Tamil). A fool, unless he knows Latin, is never a great fool. (Spanish). "Learned fools are the greatest fools." (English, German, French). "None can play the fool as well as a wise man.' (English). "All beginnings are hard," said the thief, and began by stealing the anvil. (Dutch). A man is of little use when his wife's a widow. (Scotch). An inch off a man's nose is a great deal. (Gaelic). As bad as marrying the devil's daughter, and living with the old folks. (English). "Bad company," said the thief, as he went to the gallows between the hangman and the monk. (Dutch). By talking too loud the jaw becomes swelled. (Louisiana Creole). He who uses abusive language when angry may receive a blow that will cause his jaw to be swollen. Daddy Tortoise goes slow, but he gets to the goal while Daddy Deer is asleep. (Louisiana Creole). Do a man a gude turn and he'll never forgi'e you. (Scotch) "Save a thief from the gallows and he will hang you 'Bring up a raven and he for it." (French). will pick out your eyes." (French, German). 'After crossing the river the boatman gets a cuff.' (Tamil). "As soon as you have drunk you turn your back upon the spring." "He has brought up a bird to pick out his own eyes." "I taught you to swim, and now you would drown me.' "Save a thief from the gallows and he'll be the first to cut your throat." "The axe goes to the wood from which it borrowed its helve." "The sword has forgotten the smith that forged it." "When I had thatched his house he would have hurled me from the roof." (English). "He that you seat upon your shoulder will often try to get upon your head." (Danish). Though this proverb seems to be an expression of Scotch wit it was used seriously particularly during the early part of the eighteenth century. It originated in the Shetland Islands where there was an old superstition that it was unlucky to save a drowning man as he would be sure to reward the service rendered by some act of unkindness, if not of real injury. The superstition came from the habit of permitting men to drown who attempted to escape from a wreck, so that there being no survivors the vessel might be considered lawful plunder. "Are you mad?' said he, 'you that have lived sae "In troth,' said the Ranzelman, 'they are wise Do not be breakin' a shin on a stool that's not in your way. (Irish). Do not cut your donkey's tail in a crowd-one will say "It is too long," another "Too short.' (Osmanli). 'Different people take different views." (English). Dress a little toad, and it will look pretty. (Spanish). By suitable clothing the ugliest or most deformed person can be made to look presentable if not acceptable. Early rising is the first thing that puts a man to the door. (Scotch). See Rhyming Proverbs: “Early to rise and late to bed, lifts again the debtor's head." See also Grouping Proverbs: "To rise at five, dine at nine, sup at five, go to bed at nine, make a man live to ninety-nine.' This proverb is intended as a jest. The expression, "puts a man to the door," is sometimes used to indicate that the man is utterly ruined. On the other hand, it is intended to be taken literally and conveys the thought that the man who is an early riser passes through his bedroom door, and then through the outer door of his house, to engage in business. By early rising he becomes prosperous. "To rise betimes makes one healthy, virtuous, and Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We may make these times better if we bestir ourselves."-Benjamin Franklin. "Every little helps to lighten the freight," said the captain, as he threw his wife overboard. (Dutch). |