Text: Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

Context: “I actually do live by this saying too. Never celebrate too soon, because the game isn’t over until it’s over. And oftentimes, people think they are all good with a project, home sale, negotiation, only to find out there’s a snag. So on the one hand, it’s important to remember ‘It’s Not Over Til The Fat Lady Sings’ but equally important to remember not to celebrate a victory too early!” -MK

Analysis: This proverb is part of a large family of Western proverbs cautioning against pride and greed. It is especially similar to the saying “a bird in hand is worth more than 2 in the bush.” Both proverbs caution against being overconfident, just in slightly different situations. They are also both used to keep pride in check and caution against expecting future successes. Ironically, they also both use birds as the metaphor for success.

The saying also has a wider range of use than the informant mentioned. He specifically mentions it in a business context, but there are many other ways in which it is commonly used. Firstly, it is often used in sports to caution a winning team against becoming complacent. Many of my coaches have used this exact proverb to try and stop us from slowing down and losing in the second half of a game. Furthermore, it is often used as a snarky retort. If someone is boasting about their expected victory, a losing party might retort with this proverb, shutting down their cocky demeanor. The universality of this proverb speaks to its versatility and strong staying power in Western culture.