FRENCH IDIOMS AND PROVERBS

“Omne epigramma sit instar apis; sit aculeus illi,
Sint sua mella, sit et corporis exigui.” Martial.

[Thus Englished by Archbishop Trench:

“Three things must epigrams, like bees, have all;
Its sting, its honey, and its body small.”]

[And thus by my friend, Mr. F. Storr:

“An epigram’s a bee: ’tis small, has wings
Of wit, a heavy bag of humour, and it stings.”]

“Celebre dictum, scita quapiam novitate insigne.” Erasmus.

“The genius, wit, and spirit of a nation are discovered in its proverbs.”—Bacon.

“The people’s voice the voice of God we call;
And what are proverbs but the people’s voice?” James Howell.

“What oft was thought, but ne’er so well expressed.” Pope, Essay on Criticism.

“The wit of one man, the wisdom of many.”—Lord John Russell (Quarterly Review, Sept. 1850).

FRENCH IDIOMS AND PROVERBS

A COMPANION TO DESHUMBERT’S

“DICTIONARY OF DIFFICULTIES”

BY

DE V. PAYEN-PAYNE

PRINCIPAL OF KENSINGTON COACHING COLLEGE
ASSISTANT EXAMINER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

FOURTH REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION

[Fifth Thousand]

LONDON
DAVID NUTT, 57-59 LONG ACRE
1905

Villon, Ballade des Proverbes.

PREFACE

In this edition I have endeavoured to keep down additions as much as possible, so as not to overload the book; but I have not been sparing in adding cross-references (especially in the Index) and quotations from standard authors. These quotations seldom give the first occasion on which a proverb has been used, as in most cases it is impossible to find it.

I have placed an asterisk before all recognised proverbs; these will serve as a first course for those students who do not wish to read through the whole book at once. In a few cases I have added explanations of English proverbs; during the eleven years I have been using the book I have frequently found that pupils were, for instance, as ignorant of “to bell the cat” as they were of “attacher le grelot.”

I must add a warning to students who use the book when translating into French. They must not use expressions marked “familiar” or “popular” except when writing in a familiar or low-class style. I have included these forms, because they are often heard in conversation, but they are seldom met with in serious French literature. A few blank pages have been added at the end for additions. Accents have been placed on capitals to aid the student; they are usually omitted in French printing.

In conclusion, I have to thank Mr. W. G. Lipscomb, M.A., Headmaster of Bolton Grammar School, Mr. E. Latham, and especially M. Georges Jamin of the École Lavoisier, Paris, for valuable suggestions; while M. Marius Deshumbert, and Professor Walter Rippmann, in reading through the proof sheets, have made many corrections and additions of the greatest value, for which I owe them my sincere gratitude.

DE V. PAYEN-PAYNE.

AUTHORITIES CONSULTED

Belcher, H., and Dupuis, A., “Manuel aux examens.” London, 1885.

Belcour, G., “English Proverbs.” London, 1888.

Bohn, H. G., “Handbook of Proverbs.” London, 1855.

Cats, Jacob, and Fairlie, R., “Moral Emblems.” London, 1860.

Duplessis, M. Gratet, “La fleur des Proverbes français.” Paris, 1851.

Furetière, A., “Dictionnaire universel.” La Haye, 1727.

Génin, F., “Récréations philologiques.” Paris, 1856.

Howell, James, “Lexicon Tetraglotton.” London, 1660.

Karcher, T., “Questionnaire français.” Seventh Edition. London, 1886.

Lacurne de Ste. Palaye, “Dictionnaire historique de l’ancien langage françois.” Paris, 1875-82.

Larchey, Lorédan, “Nos vieux Proverbes.” Paris, 1886.

Larousse, P., “Grand Dictionnaire universel du xix^e siècle.” 1865-76.

Le Roux de Lincy, A. J., “Livre des Proverbes français.” 2^e édition. Paris, 1859.

Littré, E., “Dictionnaire de la langue française.” Paris, 1863-72.

Loubens, D., “Proverbes de la langue française.” Paris, 1889.

Martin, Éman, “Le Courrier de Vaugelas.” Paris, 1868.

Quitard, P. M., “Dictionnaire étymologique des Proverbes.” Paris, 1842.

Quitard, P. M., “Études sur les Proverbes français.” Paris, 1860.

Rigaud, Lucien, “Argot moderne.” Paris, 1881.

Tarver, J. C., “Phraseological Dictionary.” London, 1854.

Trench, R. C., “Proverbs and their Lessons.” Sixth Edition. London, 1869.

Quarterly Review. July 1868.

Notes and Queries. Passim.