Author Archives: Montana Paxton

Spanish Proverb

Nationality: Mexican-American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: United States
Language: English

Text:

Spanish: “el que se enoja, pierde”

Translation: “The one who gets mad loses”

Context:

“It’s kind of hard to pin point as to when I first heard it. I’ve always known this phrase since I was young. I think my grandpa was the one who taught me this concept since I would often talk back or argue with my siblings. I think the phrase explains that when we become very emotional in any given situation, like being angry, we often don’t think rationally.”

Analysis:

This phrase represents Latin culture, showing the informant’s culture to be considered as hard-workers and diligent in the workforce, which also emphasizes the group’s oichotype. For the literal meaning, the phrase values and favors those who are patient rather than those who let their anger win. The saying also consists of an importance within family values as the informant states that she mostly heard it within family contexts. This relates to the folk as the informant family in addition to their culture with the lore showcasing the idea of patience winning over anger. It’s used in situations of emotions or a battle between favorable and undesirable feelings.

Glass Houses – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: United States
Language: English

Text:

“People in glass houses should not throw stones.”

Context:

“my dad used this saying a lot when i was little so that’s where i learned it. i think it means to not be hard or talk down to or about others because you probably are just like them in one way or another. and i use it in softball when my teammates talk down about the way someone hits or fields a ball when we all know everyone has had their off days”

Analysis:

The folk group that this proverb is used in seemed to evolve. The informant first learned this saying from their father, which then spread into being used within their softball team, showing the spread of this phrase. The saying itself seems to refer to the idea of being nice to everyone instead of immediately getting upset and “throwing stones” when you yourself might have been in the same situation. It’s purpose is to teach a lesson to other people who may be to focused on their anger and frustration.

You are enough even when you don’t feel like it – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student & Restaurant Employee
Residence: United States
Language: English

Text:

“You are enough even when you don’t feel like it”

Context:

“I saw a picture of it on TikTok lol. I usually use it to make someone feel better if they are feeling overwhelmed or upset.”

Analysis:

Though coming from social media, the post itself may derive from different authors as it is constantly reposted and changed to become longer or shorter. There’s different variations of this quote, such as the most common “You are enough.” These don’t necessarily have authors, rather they are used as sayings in specific contexts. The informant continues to reuse and recycle this saying, especially in situations to show kindness, showing or saying it to a particular group of those in pain or needing cheering up. Sayings and phrases like these continue to spread and expand among those who are kind-hearted or in situations that require this feeling.