The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (467 page)
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ROBIN Hood could brave all weathers but a thaw wind
A thaw wind
is ‘a cold piercing wind from the S. or SE. which often accompanies the breaking up of a long frost’ (J. Bridge,
Cheshire Proverbs
).
1855
Life & Exploits of Robin Hood
ii.
Every one, at least every Yorkshireman, is familiar with the observation that Robin Hood could brave all weathers but a thaw wind.
1931
Blanket of Dark
xii.
I dread the melting wind which makes seas of rivers and lakes of valleys. Robin Hood feared little above ground, but he feared the thaw-wind.
weather lore
is ‘a cold piercing wind from the S. or SE. which often accompanies the breaking up of a long frost’ (J. Bridge,
Cheshire Proverbs
).
1855Life & Exploits of Robin Hood
ii.
Every one, at least every Yorkshireman, is familiar with the observation that Robin Hood could brave all weathers but a thaw wind.
1931
Blanket of Dark
xii.
I dread the melting wind which makes seas of rivers and lakes of valleys. Robin Hood feared little above ground, but he feared the thaw-wind.
weather lore
rock
Up like a ROCKET, down like a stick
The origin of this is Thomas Paine's gibe about Edmund Burke's oratory in a House of Commons debate on the subject of the French Revolution (see quot. 1792).
1792
Letter to Addressers on Late Proclamation
4
As he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.
1922
Ulysses
364
Up like a rocket, down like a stick.
1974
Fonthill
(1975) 53
I believe he died loaded with debts. Well, up like a rocket and down like the stick, I always say.
ambition
;
pride
1792Letter to Addressers on Late Proclamation
4
As he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.
1922
Ulysses
364
Up like a rocket, down like a stick.
1974
Fonthill
(1975) 53
I believe he died loaded with debts. Well, up like a rocket and down like the stick, I always say.
ambition;
pride
A ROLLING stone gathers no moss
Cf. ERASMUS
Adages
III
. iv.
í
o
u
óµ
o
o
Adages
III
. iv.
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