The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (383 page)
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Like MOTHER, like daughter
The female equivalent of
like FATHER, like son
. EZEKIEL xvi. 44 (AV) Every one .. shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.
a
1325
Cursor Mundi
(EETS) 1. 18857
O suilk [such] a moder, wel slik [such] a child.
1474
Game of Chess
II
. ii.
For suche moder suche doughter comunely.
1644
Bloody Tenent of Persecution
xcix.
Is not this as the Prophet speaks, Like mother, like daughter?
1861
Cloister & Hearth
II. xvii.
‘Mother, you were so hot against her.’ .. ‘Ay … Like mother like daughter: cowardice it is our bane’.
1960
Whisper Town
II
. ii.
She had a reputation .. of being ‘fast’. ‘Like mother, like daughter,’ people said.
1992
Rather English Marriage
(1993) xi. 188
‘Darling, you are hopeless! Why are you always so broke?’ (Like mother, like daughter, she thought to herself.)
Children and parents
;
similarity and dissimilarity
like FATHER, like son
. EZEKIEL xvi. 44 (AV) Every one .. shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.
a1325
Cursor Mundi
(EETS) 1. 18857
O suilk [such] a moder, wel slik [such] a child.
1474
Game of Chess
II
. ii.
For suche moder suche doughter comunely.
1644
Bloody Tenent of Persecution
xcix.
Is not this as the Prophet speaks, Like mother, like daughter?
1861
Cloister & Hearth
II. xvii.
‘Mother, you were so hot against her.’ .. ‘Ay … Like mother like daughter: cowardice it is our bane’.
1960
Whisper Town
II
. ii.
She had a reputation .. of being ‘fast’. ‘Like mother, like daughter,’ people said.
1992
Rather English Marriage
(1993) xi. 188
‘Darling, you are hopeless! Why are you always so broke?’ (Like mother, like daughter, she thought to herself.)
Children and parents;
similarity and dissimilarity
The MOTHER of mischief is no bigger than a midge's wing
a1628
Proverbs in Scots
no. 1468
The mother of mischief, is na mair nor [than] a midgewing.
1796
Parent's Assistant
(ed. 2) 149
‘The mother of mischief’, says an old proverb, ‘is no bigger than a midge's wing’.
1858
Woman's Thoughts about Women
viii.
Fatal and vile as her [Gossip's] progeny may be, ‘the mother of mischief’, says the proverb, ‘is no bigger than a midge's wing.’
beginnings and endings;
great and small
;
trouble
mother
If the MOUNTAIN will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain
Quot. 1625 gives the anecdote behind this saying.
1625
Essays
‘Of Boldness’ xii.
Mahomet cald the Hill to come to him .. And when the Hill stood still, he was neuer a whit abashed, but said; If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet wil go to the hil.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 2707
If the Mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the Mountain.
1975
Snow Tiger
xvii.
You couldn't go to see him, so the mountain had to go to Mahomet. It was .. important to him.
necessity
;
obstinacy
1625Essays
‘Of Boldness’ xii.
Mahomet cald the Hill to come to him .. And when the Hill stood still, he was neuer a whit abashed, but said; If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet wil go to the hil.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 2707
If the Mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the Mountain.
1975
Snow Tiger
xvii.
You couldn't go to see him, so the mountain had to go to Mahomet. It was .. important to him.
necessity;
obstinacy
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