Tag Archives: proverb

Bee

Nationality: White
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“Bee in bonnet.”

My informant mentioned this proverb and explained that they heard it once in the TV show The Berenstain Bears, and since then they have used it religiously. For them, the proverb is used when you are too obsessed and overly worry about something.

This proverb dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries and comes from an actual bee buzzing around inside a hat or bonnet, which then caused agitation and distraction. In the proverb, the “bee” represents a thought or idea that buzzes in our mind (bonnet) distracting us. 

Stupid Games

Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Language: English

Text: You Played Stupid Games, You Win Stupid Prizes.

Context: Informant details that this proverb was first heard in a Taylor Swift song. Informant commonly uses this proverb when discussing the decisions of others, especially when addressing relationship decisions. Informant describes themselves as being an advisor to many friends when it comes to relationships. When they bring up issues that are centered around making bad decisions, especially choosing romantic partners, the informant relays this proverb. Informant acknowledges that it can sometimes come off as harsh, but understands the necessity of tough truths, especially with people they care for. Informant wants their friends to understand that, sometimes, the best way to avoid troublesome issues is to be more precautious in decision making.

Analysis: I believe this proverb is very fundamental to how the American people view hardships. A lot of people separate themselves from the event, and treat the situation as something that has been, “done to them,” rather than, “done to self.” This is rooted in the tendency of people to not take responsibility for their actions. This proverb provides the wisdom that negative outcomes are likely to come from non thoughtful decisions. This can, and should be, applied to decision making on all scales. The American decision making culture has long been rooted in a “now is better than later” mindset. This means that the quicker decision is the better one, as it allows for action to be taken at a rapid rate. This, however, leads to many unforeseen issues that would have likely been thought of if the decision was made more carefully. This proverb’s importance then becomes as a reminder that the best choice is the thoughtful one.

There’s a snake in my… Pocket?

Nationality: African American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): French

Age: 65

Occupation: Management Consultant

Residence: Upstate, NY

Performance Date: 4/20/2025

Context: 

My informant, WB, is a family member of mine who lives in the Hudson Valley area of New York. They used to tell me a lot of riddles as a child, and loved to play games with riddles all the time. One day I decided to ask them if they ever heard of an original riddle that stuck with them personally, one they had not yet shared with me. This is what I got: 

Text: 

“‘What do you get when you put a snake in your pocket? You get bit.’ The meaning of this is to beware of trusting and getting too close to scrupleless people. While I hate that it puts snakes in a bad light, this saying has always taught me to take the time to get to know people who may become a business partners. AND, even then, you may still get bit!! I think this is one that my grandfather created, perhaps it was passed on from an experience his parents had who were in the restaurant business back in the 20’s and finally lost the business to their business partners.  This means a lot to me, it has taught me to pay close attention to the motives of people in general when it comes to finance, positive or negative. I know most people say ‘I trust people until they prove otherwise’ but for me, ‘I don’t trust people I meet until they prove trustworthy.’”

Analysis: 

Okay, so, this proverb they exemplified, I personally had never heard before, and upon looking it up, I found next to nothing, which is great! This might actually be unique to WB’s family (or at least not widespread) adding to the idea that it was coined by their grandfather or adapted from an older phrase. What’s interesting is how it uses the symbol of the snake, which in many global traditions (from the Bible to African trickster tales to Greek mythology) represents deceit, danger, or moral testing. In this case, the snake stands as a metaphor for untrustworthy people, especially in financial or business settings, with the “pocket” standing in as a symbol for closeness or vulnerability. It’s also compelling how the proverb serves not only as a warning, but also as a reflection of a real, generational experience. I think it’s cool that the personal history gives the phrase emotional weight and makes it more than just a casual saying, almost becoming a tool of survival and a form of inherited wisdom. What I find most fascinating is how WB uses it to define their personal philosophy on trust, flipping the more common belief that trust is given until broken. I honestly lean that way too. Plus, WB seems to approach trust as something earned, which they frame not as cynical, but as careful. It’s a great example of how even a small, family-rooted piece of folklore can carry over an entire worldview.

Don’t be stressed be blessed – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: United States
Language: English

Text:

“Don’t be stressed be blessed”

Context:

“My friend from middle school. To me i use it as a way to alleviate tension when someone is expressing anxiety about a given situation…I use it satirically to bring a bit of humor into the conversation in an attempt to reduce the person’s stress.”

Analysis:

This phrase can take multiple forms for different contexts, but the informant, who learned it from a middle school friend, uses it ironically or sarcastically. Originally viewed as something positive or even religious, this oicotype represents a phrase that has been adapted to meet the group’s more humor focused culture. The informant also does it to alleviate stress, poking fun at the phrase, in order to uplift the mood in a way unique to the audience. Also, it is unique to a school environment as that culture fosters students who uses sarcasm to cope with stress.

Don’t Hit a Dog with a Meatbun!

“If You Hit a Dog with a Meat Bun, the Dog Eats It and You Have No Food Now”

In Mandarin, the proverb is phrased as “用肉包子打狗，有去无回” (yòng ròu bāozi dǎ gǒu, yǒu qù wú huí). This mandarin phrase translates literally to: “If you hit a dog with a meat bun, the dog eats it, and you get nothing back.” The meaning behind the proverb is that once something is given away or invested in the wrong place, it is lost with no return.

I learned this proverb from my classmate C, who heard it from a Chinese friend with whom she has a close personal relationship. Her friend explained it to her in the context of making futile efforts—situations where people put in effort, time, or resources but receive nothing in return. C told me she found it humorous and practical, often using it in conversations when she or someone she knows feels like their effort has been wasted. For example, she mentioned using the phrase when lending money to someone unlikely to repay or when trying to argue with a stubborn person who refuses to change their mind.

This proverb reflects to me, a somewhat practical, yet humorous worldview, emphasizing the importance of knowing where to invest one’s energy and resources. The image of someone literally throwing a meat bun at a dog—only for the dog to eat it—is a vivid metaphor for wasted effort. The cultural value embedded in this proverb aligns with pragmatism, a notion that is deeply ingrained and enshrined in my perception of Chinese culture and their proverbs/folk sayings. From a broader perspective, this proverb connects to universal themes of loss and strategic thinking—understanding that not all efforts are worthwhile and that being mindful of where one invests energy is crucial. It also reveals a subtle caution against generosity without foresight, a theme in many folk traditions worldwide. The humor in the phrase makes it more engaging and relatable, allowing it to be used in everyday conversations while carrying deeper wisdom.

Date of performance: 2/11/2025
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Los Angeles, CA