Proverbs

Ever heard the phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away'?" It is such a commonly used phrase in English that native speakers may not even think about what type of phrase it is or where it came from. In case you weren't aware, this is an example of a proverb.

So what exactly is a proverb, and why are they used? Let's begin by looking at a definition:

Proverbs Definition

A proverb is a traditional, well-known phrase or expression. It can have either a literal or figurative meaning (not to be taken literally).

The intended meaning of a proverb is usually more complex and specific than its literal meaning. This can make it difficult for non-native speakers of English to understand them.

A proverb is also a type of fixed expression. This means the word order must stay the same (otherwise, it would not make sense!)

Fig. 1 - An example of a proverb.

Characteristics of English Proverbs

A proverb is designed to state a general truth or give advice. Because of this, they often provide the reader with wisdom or give the reader an order. This can be done through declaratives (sentences that give a statement) or imperatives (sentences that tell someone what to do). For example:

Proverbs in English

Proverbs exist in many different languages around the world. However, they may not always be universally understood. For example, a commonly used Japanese proverb will probably not be understood or used by those who do not speak Japanese. Each culture has its own unique proverbs!

English proverbs can be confusing for people who speak English as a second language because they may not be familiar with the phrase and its context. As a result, they may take the phrase too literally or misunderstand the intended meaning.

Proverbs Example

Check out the table below for some more examples of proverbs and their meanings:

English Proverbs and Idioms - What is the Difference?

Although proverbs and idioms are similar, they have some key differences. Let's take a look at the definition of an idiom:

Another difference between idioms and proverbs is that idioms do not give advice or a statement of truth. They do not need to have some profound message; they often simply state an idea or concept. Idioms also tend to only make sense when viewed as a whole phrase, whereas proverbs can be broken down and still make sense. For example:

Fig. 2 - 'It's raining cats and dogs'

Proverbs Vs. Anti-proverbs

So, you now know what a proverb is, but what is an anti-proverb? Here is a definition:

For example:

The proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" can be transformed into a parody such as:

Fig. 3 - This anti-proverb is a parody of 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away.'