The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (398 page)
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NO moon, no man
1878Return of Native
I.
I
. iii.
‘No moon, no man.’ 'Tis one of the truest sayings ever spit out. The boy never comes to anything that's born at new moon.
1878
English Folk-Lore
ii.
In Cornwall, when a child is born in the interval between an old moon and the first appearance of a new one, it is said that it will never live to reach the age of puberty. Hence the saying ‘No moon, no man.’
calendar lore;
children
NO names, no pack-drill
If nobody is named as being responsible for something, then nobody can be blamed and punished. Also used more generally in favour of reticence on a subject.
Pack-drill
is a military punishment in which the offender is compelled to march up and down in full marching order.
1923
Peace in our Time
I
. ii.
Men had a way of omitting the names of those of whom they spoke; no names no pack-drill.
1925
Juno & Paycock
II
. 61
I know some as are as sweet as the blossoms that bloom in the May—oh, no names, no pack dhrill.
1955
Beckoning Lady
ii.
It just means no name, no pack drill, and always speak well of them as has money to sue.
1979
Hooky & Villainous Chauffeur
x.
If you gave your word to a girl you'd stick to it. But there as plenty as don't… No names, no packdrill, as my old dad used to say.
speech and silence
Pack-drill
is a military punishment in which the offender is compelled to march up and down in full marching order.
1923Peace in our Time
I
. ii.
Men had a way of omitting the names of those of whom they spoke; no names no pack-drill.
1925
Juno & Paycock
II
. 61
I know some as are as sweet as the blossoms that bloom in the May—oh, no names, no pack dhrill.
1955
Beckoning Lady
ii.
It just means no name, no pack drill, and always speak well of them as has money to sue.
1979
Hooky & Villainous Chauffeur
x.
If you gave your word to a girl you'd stick to it. But there as plenty as don't… No names, no packdrill, as my old dad used to say.
speech and silenceNO news is good news
1616in
Loseley MSS
(1836) 403
No newis is bettir then evill newis.
1640
Familiar Letters
3 June (1903) II. 144
I am of the Italians mind that said, ‘Nulla nuova, buona nuova’, (no news, good news).
1850
Frank Fairlegh
x.
Arguing .. (on the ‘no news being good news’ system) that I should have heard again if anything had gone wrong, I dismissed the subject from my mind.
1974
Porterhouse Blue
xxi.
‘He can't reply’, the Senior Tutor pointed out. ‘I find that most consoling. After all no news is good news.’
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