The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (354 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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, more hands mean more work; ERASMUS
Adages
II.iii. 95
multae manus onus levius reddunt
, many hands make a burden lighter.
c
1330
Sir Beves
(EETS) 1. 3352
Ascopard be strong and sterk [physically powerful], Mani hondes maketh light werk!
1678
Hudibras
III. ii.
Most Hands dispatch apace, And make light work, (the proverb says).
1721
Scottish Proverbs
244
Many Hands make light Work. Because it is but little to every one.
1923
Observer
11 Feb. 9
What is the use of saying that ‘Many hands make light work’ when the same copy-book tells you that ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’?
1978
Dream Apart
ix.
Well, Lorenzo.., you back again? Got the family with you this time, hah? Many hands make light work.
assistance
;
work
MARCH comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb
The weather is traditionally wild at the beginning of March, but fair by the end.
a
1625
Wife for Month
(1717)
II
. i.
‘I would chuse March, for I would come in like a Lion.’ .. ‘But you'd go out like a Lamb when you went to hanging’.
1670
English Proverbs
41
March hack ham comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.
1849
Shirley
II. iv.
Charming and fascinating he resolved to be. Like March, having come in like a lion, he purposed to go out like a lamb.
1906
Country Diary of Edwardian Lady
(1977) 25
March has come in like a lamb with a warm wind .. from the South-west.
1980
Eastern Evening News
3 Apr. 13
That old proverb of ‘March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb’ proved to be quite the reverse.
weather lore

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