The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (239 page)
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Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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When the GORSE is out of bloom, kissing's out of fashion
Quot. 1846 explains the rationale behind this proverb and the parallel
when the FURZE is in bloom, my love's in tune
.
1846
Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c.
12
When whins [gorse] are out of bloom, Kissing's out of fashion … Whins are
never
out of bloom.
1860
Holmby House
I. iii.
‘When the gorse is out of bloom, young ladies,’ quoth Sir Giles,‘then is kissing out of fashion!’.. There is no day in the year when the blossom is off the gorse.
1974
Brass Islands
175
‘What's that old jingle about the gorse?’.. ‘When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of fashion.’
1987
Daily Telegraph
14 Mar. 10
It is this habit of prolonged flowering that must have given rise to the optimistic country saying that when gorse is out of bloom kissing is out of fashion.
love, prosperous
when the FURZE is in bloom, my love's in tune
.
1846Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c.
12
When whins [gorse] are out of bloom, Kissing's out of fashion … Whins are
never
out of bloom.
1860
Holmby House
I. iii.
‘When the gorse is out of bloom, young ladies,’ quoth Sir Giles,‘then is kissing out of fashion!’.. There is no day in the year when the blossom is off the gorse.
1974
Brass Islands
175
‘What's that old jingle about the gorse?’.. ‘When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of fashion.’
1987
Daily Telegraph
14 Mar. 10
It is this habit of prolonged flowering that must have given rise to the optimistic country saying that when gorse is out of bloom kissing is out of fashion.
love, prosperousWhat is GOT over the Devil's back is spent under his belly
What is improperly obtained is spent in foolhardy pleasures or debauchery.
1582
Plays Confuted
G7
V
That which is gotten ouer the deuils backe, is spent vnder his belly.
1607
Michaelmas Term
IV. i.
What's got over the devil's back (that's by knavery), must be spent under his belly (that's by lechery).
1670
English Proverbs
80
What is gotten over the Devils back, is spent under his belly … What is got by oppression or extortion is many times spent in riot and luxury.
1821
Pirate
III. iv.
You shall not prevail on me to go farther in the devil's road with you; for .. what is got over his back is spent—you wot how.
1938
1649
cviii.
‘What's got over the devil's back is soon sold under the belly’ said the bully to his girl; ‘let down the milk.’
1952
Mouse in Eternity
93
What I say is what goes over the devil's back is sure to come under his belly.
getting and spending
1582Plays Confuted
G7
V
That which is gotten ouer the deuils backe, is spent vnder his belly.
1607
Michaelmas Term
IV. i.
What's got over the devil's back (that's by knavery), must be spent under his belly (that's by lechery).
1670
English Proverbs
80
What is gotten over the Devils back, is spent under his belly … What is got by oppression or extortion is many times spent in riot and luxury.
1821
Pirate
III. iv.
You shall not prevail on me to go farther in the devil's road with you; for .. what is got over his back is spent—you wot how.
1938
1649
cviii.
‘What's got over the devil's back is soon sold under the belly’ said the bully to his girl; ‘let down the milk.’
1952
Mouse in Eternity
93
What I say is what goes over the devil's back is sure to come under his belly.
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