The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (210 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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One FUNERAL makes many
A similar idea to
one WEDDING brings another
. The thinking behind this saying is illustrated in the quots.
1894
Perlycross
I. vii.
It has been said, and is true too often .. that one funeral makes many. A strong east wind .. whistled through the crowd of mourners.
1935
Shadow on Downs
V. iv. 137
The funeral went off very well .. I am glad we had such a fine day for it. Standing about bareheaded in driving rain .. always makes such an occasion rather trying, and there is a good deal of truth in the saying that one funeral brings others.
1951
Forked Lightning
xx. 132
Poured cats and dogs for my poor father's funeral, it did … My poor mother took a fever and it carried her off in a fortnight. They say one funeral makes another …
death
When the FURZE is in bloom, my love's in tune
A corollary of
when the GORSE is out of bloom, kissing's out of fashion
. Cf.
c
1225
in
Englische Studien
(1902) XXXI. 5 Whanne bloweth [flowers] the brom, thanne wogeth [woos] the grom; Whanne bloweth the furs, thanne wogeth he wurs.
1752
Poor Robin's Almanack
Aug. B3
V
Dog-days are in he'll say's the reason Why kissing now is out of season: but Joan says furze [gorse] in bloom still, and she'll be kiss'd if she's her will.
1908
Spectator
9 May 740
At almost any season of the year gorse can be found in … flower … When the furze is in bloom, my love's in tune.
love, prosperous

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