Proverbs are well-known sayings and informative statements among the people of every nation. Proverbs usually date back to old days. They have handed out from one generation to another with the purpose of conveying some facts.

Every proverb might have had a true story or reasonable explanation behind them. Some of them are pretty self-explanatory, but some other need to be explained. We have a huge treasure of proverbs and expressions in our enriched language “Farsi”.

You must have heard of the proverb “S/he is shedding crocodile tears” or the expression “crocodile tears”. We also have this proverb in our language, but I have no idea where it stems from. Anyway, I would like to explain this proverb and the story behind that very shortly.

“Crocodile tears” refers to the sympathy and compassion which is not genuine. The person who is shedding crocodile tears is not genuinely compassionate, but a pretender who wants to get something for his/her benefit.

It is said that crocodiles get fed with their own tears. When crocodiles are hungry, they go on the beach and pretend to be dead. In the meantime, poisonous sticky tears come out of their eyes. Flies, insects, and animals get fooled and approach to the seemingly dead crocodiles to eat from them. Crocodiles poison and hunt their prey this way, and get fed.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.

Let’s discuss:
What are some of the well-known proverbs in your place? Do you know the story behind them?

Regards,
Hurieh, May 12th/ 2016

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Comments

  • Dear Camel,

    I have to confess that I don't know much about wild life. I've never heard that crocodiles eat their kids. How cruel parents they can be in case they do this to their own kids. Anyway, Let's accept that crocodiles are mysterious!

    As for the comments of yours and Goofy's, I'd say that I have no idea about thess proverb. I will take only mine seriously. Smiling!

  • Dear AG,
    I read your great blog and enjoyed it. I didn't know you have written a blog with almost the same topic. Are you going to sue me as an innocent plagiarizer? OK. I'm ready to be detained and sentenced in the jail! Kidding!
    Anyway, lets say " Great minds think alike", and settle this way. winking!

  • Dear Mohammad, I'm glad you found it nice!

  • Setareh jan,

    Thanks so much for reminding me of the proverb. Yes. I did mention this!
    I just remembered another proverb !

    " A burnt child dreads the fire."

    You must know its equivalent in our language. Yes. You are right. "Stung by the snake, he is afraid of black-white rope! "

  • Hello, Hurieh,

    it's a nice topic with a nice story, Though I think it's plagiarizing my own blog :P

    http://www.myenglishclub.com/profiles/blogs/meaningful-and-meaningl...

    Have a nice day, Hurieh :)

    Meaningful and Meaningless Proverbs
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  • It is good to know the story behind the proverbs. Nice blog. 

  • Dear Hurieh, i guess it's "once bitten, twice shy." right?:)

  • Dear Goofy,

    A goofy proverb! haha. Thanks for sharing.

    By your proverb, you presumably meant the one bellow, right?

    " Don't cross your bridges before you come to them".

    Don't worry about the things that haven't happened yet.

  • Dear narin,

    Thanks for reading and commenting!

    Narin's Page
    Narin's Page on MyEnglishClub
  • tnx dear hurieh for sharing ,it was a nice blog like always.i enjoyed it .

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