The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (543 page)
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Never tell TALES out of school
The phrase
to tell tales out of school
is also used.
1530
Practice of Prelates
B1
V
So that what cometh once in may never out for feare of tellinge tales out of scole.
1616
Dict.
(rev.ed.) 573
You must not tel tales out of the Tauerne.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
303
Tell no School Tales. Do not blab abroad what is said in drink, or among Companions.
1876
Manchester Man
I. xv.
All attempts to make known school troubles and grievances were met with ‘Never tell tales out of school.’
1963
Clocks
xxiv.
‘Well—.’ .. ‘I understand. Mustn't tell tales out of school.’
malice
to tell tales out of school
is also used.
1530Practice of Prelates
B1
V
So that what cometh once in may never out for feare of tellinge tales out of scole.
1616
Dict.
(rev.ed.) 573
You must not tel tales out of the Tauerne.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
303
Tell no School Tales. Do not blab abroad what is said in drink, or among Companions.
1876
Manchester Man
I. xv.
All attempts to make known school troubles and grievances were met with ‘Never tell tales out of school.’
1963
Clocks
xxiv.
‘Well—.’ .. ‘I understand. Mustn't tell tales out of school.’
malice
TALK is cheap
Cf.
c
1600
A. MUNDAY et al.
Sir T. More
(1911) 23 Woords are but wordes, and payes not what men owe;
1639
CHAPMAN & SHIRLEY
Ball
v. i. You may heare talke; but give me the man that has measur'd 'em: talkes but talke.
1668
Adagia Scotica
47
Seying goes good cheap.
1843
Attaché
I. ii.
Talk is cheap, it don't cost nothin' but breath.
1929
Footprints
i.
Talk's cheap. You could never make me believe that.
1996
Washington Times
30 Apr. A4
Talk, as those of us in the pews have been taught all our lives, is cheap, and faith without works is dead.
boasting
;
words and deeds
c
1600
A. MUNDAY et al.
Sir T. More
(1911) 23 Woords are but wordes, and payes not what men owe;
1639
CHAPMAN & SHIRLEY
Ball
v. i. You may heare talke; but give me the man that has measur'd 'em: talkes but talke.
1668Adagia Scotica
47
Seying goes good cheap.
1843
Attaché
I. ii.
Talk is cheap, it don't cost nothin' but breath.
1929
Footprints
i.
Talk's cheap. You could never make me believe that.
1996
Washington Times
30 Apr. A4
Talk, as those of us in the pews have been taught all our lives, is cheap, and faith without works is dead.
boasting;
words and deeds
TALK of the Devil, and he is bound to appear
Also abbreviated to
talk of the Devil!
, and used when a person just spoken of is seen.
1666
Italian Proverbs
134
the English say, Talk of the Devil, and he's presently at your elbow.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
299
Speak of the Dee'l, and he'll appear. Spoken when they, of whom we are speaking, come in by Chance.
1773
Spiritual Quixote
II.
VIII
.
V
.
‘How free he had made with the Devil's name.’ .. ‘Talk of the Devil, and he will appear.’
1830
King's Own
II.
V
.
The unexpected appearance of Mrs. Rainscourt made him involuntarily exclaim,‘Talk of the devil—’ ‘And she appears, Sir,’ replied the lady.
1979
Radio Times
27 Oct.–2 Nov. 66
Talk of the Devil .. and he's bound to appear, they say.
coincidence
talk of the Devil!
, and used when a person just spoken of is seen.
1666Italian Proverbs
134
the English say, Talk of the Devil, and he's presently at your elbow.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
299
Speak of the Dee'l, and he'll appear. Spoken when they, of whom we are speaking, come in by Chance.
1773
Spiritual Quixote
II.
VIII
.
V
.
‘How free he had made with the Devil's name.’ .. ‘Talk of the Devil, and he will appear.’
1830
King's Own
II.
V
.
The unexpected appearance of Mrs. Rainscourt made him involuntarily exclaim,‘Talk of the devil—’ ‘And she appears, Sir,’ replied the lady.
1979
Radio Times
27 Oct.–2 Nov. 66
Talk of the Devil .. and he's bound to appear, they say.
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