Category Archives: general

HAGS!

Age: 20

Date of Performance: 2/13/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States

  1. Text

The informant is a sophomore student at USC, who is studying Public Relations. She quoted a minor genre saying of “HAGS” that she used to write in yearbooks.

2. Context

“In yearbooks, everyone would write ‘HAGS.’ I did it a lot, it means, ‘have a good summer.’ It was for friends, teachers, but it was bigger in elementary school and middle school I feel like.”

3. Analysis

The reference of the informant to the tradition being larger in elementary school than middle school is reflective of the proverb’s reflection of youthful values. “HAGS” is a casual saying exchanged between peers to represent camaraderie and encourage optimism for the future. Summer is a traditional celebration for school-aged children, and HAGS aligns with that value for students. Additionally, yearbooks are a tradition for many students and a measure of friendships between peers.

“Cuando el río suena es porque piedras trae”

Age: 20

Date of Performance: 2/24/2025

Language: Spanish

Nationality: Mexican

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States

  1. Text

The informant is a junior student at USC, who is studying Health Promotion & Disease Prevention. He quoted a Spanish saying that reads “Cuando el río suena es porque piedras trae.” It translates in English to “When the river makes noise, it is because it brings rocks.”

2. Context

“It means if you have suspicions of something happening, it’s because you have to trust your gut because something is happening.”

“My mom told it to me when I was 10. It’s just always to trust your intuition, you feel it because something is happening and you should listen to that.”

3. Analysis

This metaphorical proverb uses a natural environment to make a comparison to human intuition. A river is often making subtle noises; however, a loud river is unusual and alarming. Therefore, this proverb references a loud river as being because the river has rocks– warning signs, if you will. This compares directly to the idea of if you feel weary about something, it is likely because you have reason to. For the informant, it stems from his upbringing and his mother sharing it in her primary language, which is Spanish.

Always Bring a Litter Bag

Nationality: American
Age: 59
Occupation: Psychology Professor
Residence: Forest Falls, CA
Language: English

Text:

“‘Always –‘ no wait, it was ‘Never –‘ no, wait, it was… ‘Always take a litter bag in your car. When it gets full, you can just toss it out the window.'”

Context:

When I had originally asked the informant, KB, if he knew any proverbs, he grinned and recited this one to me. KB was paraphrasing American comedian and actor Steve Martin. The original quote is:

“I studied with the Maharishi for many years, and really didn’t learn that much. But one thing that he taught me, I’ll never forget: ‘ALWAYS…’ no, wait– ‘NEVER…’ no, wait, it was ‘ALWAYS take a litter bag in your car. It doesn’t take up much room, and if it gets full, you can toss it out the window.'”

Analysis:

This is an anti-proverb and meant to be humorous on multiple levels. The original quote, as performed by Steve Martin, plays on the audience’s expectations of hearing a wise guru’s advice, to instead receive the apparent recommendation to litter. KB’s recitation of the quote subverted my own expectations of hearing a regular proverb. We also have a shared knowledge of Steve Martin’s comedy acts, so he knew I would understand the reference.

If it were to be performed as a regular proverb, KB suggested, “You would say this proverb when you’re in a car with your friend and there’s trash on the uh… on the floorboard, and you’re doggin’ him about the trash in his car.”

“Not my monkeys not my circus” 

Age: 20

Participant heard this from a co-worker in 2022, who said it because a customer was upset at them for something they didn’t do. The participant now uses it for similar reasons, like not getting in between 2 friends fighting, or their siblings arguing over something small. 

Analysis: I see this phrase commonly online, mostly used as a response to something happening, mostly as a way to say “This isn’t my business, nor do I care” Similarly to the instance with the participant’s coworker, it’s also used deflect responsibility or remind oneself that they don’t need to help resolve every problem that comes their way.

拿肉包打狗，狗吃了，自己没得吃 – If you hit a dog with a meat bun, the dog will eat it and you have no food now.

Age: 21

Proverb: 拿肉包打狗，狗吃了，自己没得吃 

Translation: If you hit a dog with a meat bun, the dog will eat it and you have no food now.

Context: “Basically if you punish someone with something and they enjoy it, it does nothing for you and makes it worse for you. I grew up hearing it from my mom all the time when I was growing up; mostly as a scolding for messing something up or not really helping in an already messed up situation. It was mostly used in Chinese households as a warning for kids to not act stupid and mess up something they achieved.” 

Analysis: “If you hit a dog with a meat bun the dog eats it and you have no food now” is a well-known Chinese proverb. It is primarily used as a lesson for young children and it teaches them to not be careful in situations and to be wary of what they say or do lest they mess up.