Continuation of famous proverbs. Important proverbs with missing additions - Raise your head

For many centuries it has been passed down from generation to generation with the help of proverbs and sayings. And although today this part of Russian folklore has lost its former popularity, it is not completely forgotten. It often happens that when using any established expressions, we do not even suspect that they are proverbs. However, many proverbs and sayings have come to us modified: some of them have lost their ending. The continuation of the proverb suffered the same fate. Let us remember how it sounded in its original form, and also see whether this fact influenced the meaning that was put into the proverb by our ancestors.

Origin of the proverb

First of all, it should be noted that this proverb is not entirely Russian in origin. The word "pair" in it comes from the Latin par, meaning "equal". Knowing this fact, you can guess the meaning of the saying.

Linguists offer two versions of the origin of phraseological units. According to the first version, this phrase appeared from the professional activities of shoemakers. Previously, shoes for both the right and left feet were sewn absolutely the same, without any differences (this is how felt boots are still sewn). This is where the expression “a pair of two boots” comes from.

According to another version, this phraseological unit owes its origin to the girls who prepared the dowry. Previously, the bride’s “property” had to include a pair of felt boots made by the girl herself. And since in Rus' felt boots were also considered boots (V.I. Dal defines felt boots as boots or shoes made of wool), this is where the second version of the origin of the proverb “two pairs of boots” follows.

How does the proverb end?

There are many versions. Some on the Internet claim that the proverb “two boots are a pair” has several continuations. The most common option is “both left”, as well as its modifications (“both are on the left leg”, etc.). More inquisitive users found a version of the proverb in which the beginning was cut off: “A goose and a loon - two boots in a pair” (there is a version of “sandpiper and a loon”). There is even a version of “two boots - felt boots”, but all this information is erroneous.

A true continuation of the proverb "two boots are a pair"

The Internet as a source of information is a wonderful thing, but it has one significant drawback. Information posted on the World Wide Web is not always true. This is what happened with the continuation of the proverb “two boots are a pair.”

If you turn to the most famous collector of Russian folklore, Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl, and look into his book “Proverbs and Sayings of the Russian People” out of interest, you can find a lot of interesting things. So, for example, the end of folk wisdom: “A hen pecks at the grain,” according to the lists of “complete” sayings and proverbs that have spread recently, are the words “yes, the whole yard is covered in droppings.” However, in the dictionary V.I. Dahl gives a completely different ending. In fact, the full version of this folk aphorism sounds completely different: “The hen pecks a grain, but lives well.”

And the phrase: “Whoever remembers the old, look out,” unlike modern lists, there is no continuation at all. This is the full version of the saying. True, there is also a version of the proverb that goes: “Whoever remembers the old will be punished by the devil.”

How does the proverb “two boots fit” end? According to Dahl's collection of Russian folklore, this folk aphorism has no ending at all. But the proverb has a beginning that has been lost in time: “Odd and odd are the same as even. Two boots in a pair.”

The meaning of the proverb "two boots are a pair"

You can guess the meaning of this catchphrase if you know that in the old days boots were opposed to bast shoes. Boots used to be worn only by wealthy people and dandies who wanted to be considered rich. This is where the ironic connotation of the word “boots” came from. This is confirmed by such sayings as “boots with squeaks, but porridge without butter”, as well as “don’t judge in bast shoes, boots in a sleigh” (says the person entering the hut).

The generally accepted meaning of the proverb is that two boots fit together. Most often, this phraseological unit is used with irony, indicating the similarity of people in negative qualities. This meaning is especially clearly manifested in the modern full version of the proverb: “Two boots are a pair, but both are left.”

It’s similar with the beginning of the saying: “Odd and odd are the same as even.” V.I. himself Dahl explains the word "odd" as unpaired. And the word “even” (it’s a couple) for the same Dahl is equivalent to the word “pair”. That is, the phrase “odd with odd is the same even,” using more understandable words, will sound like “unpaired with unpaired is the same pair.”

Proverbs and sayings similar in meaning

A huge variety of phraseological units have a similar semantic meaning to the proverb “two boots in a pair”:

1. "Berry of a feather."
2. "It's like they were cut from the same block."
3. “Everything here is on the same block.”
4. "Both are two, neither is good."
5. "They're all painted with the same world."
6. "Cut with one blow."
7. "Birds of the same flight."
8. "As two drops of water".
9. "Same suit."

These are just a few of them.

It is well known: the Russian language is the keeper of the wisdom of our people. And ancient proverbs and sayings are his spiritual treasure, a real “golden fund”, since they briefly and aptly express the instructive experience of many generations. But here’s the problem: in the conditions of modern information war, this experience, expressed verbally, has been distorted under the influence of new trends of the times.

The meaning of many well-known proverbs has been turned inside out and changed exactly the opposite. Someone really wanted to hide the truth from us, to break the people’s original ideas about good and evil, bad and good. With the help of the “Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language” by V.I. Dahl (1897 edition) let's try to restore the forgotten truth...

THE FAMILY HAS NOT WITHOUT A FREAK Wanting to justify the appearance of an ungodly person in a large family, we habitually say: well, it happens - there is a freak in a family. Or let’s give it a different shade: in any company there is bound to be one unlucky person. But our language speaks differently: “freak” means standing “at the clan”, under its reliable protection and patronage. And that’s why “freak” used to be called not a sick disabled person, but the first child - the strongest, the most beautiful, the smartest, who took everything first and best from his young parents. And the couple was called a family only after the birth of their first child. “Uroda” means “beauty” in some Slavic languages. That is, initially the proverb had a very deep meaning: “without a child, this is not a family,” “a family cannot exist without its first child.” Thus, the whole village, all the relatives seemed to convince the young spouses to give birth to an heir as soon as possible in order to become a full-fledged family and increase the strength of their clan-tribe.

WORK MAKES HORSES DIE How often do idle people use this expression! They like it. Although the full version of the saying goes like this: Horses die from work, but people grow stronger.

MY HUT IS ON THE EDGE Incorrect interpretation: “move away, leave me alone, I don’t know anything.” We say this today, but previously those people whose huts stood on the edge of the village had a special responsibility - they were the first to face any danger, be it an attack by enemies, a forest fire, a spring flood of a river, or a rapidly racing herd of horses. They were the ones who had to fight back. Therefore, the bravest and strongest people lived “in the huts on the edge.” When choosing a place for a house on the edge of the village, its owner seemed to be saying to his fellow villagers: “I will protect everyone’s peace.” The readiness for self-sacrifice has always been characteristic of the Russian people, which is captured in this proverb.

YOUR OWN SHIRT IS CLOSER TO THE BODY Yes, unfortunately, many contemporaries today have acquired the false belief that their own interest is most valuable, and nothing should harm personal gain. However, our ancestors pronounced these words in a completely different environment. At the funeral of a warrior who died honorably in battle, his brothers took off their linen or linen shirts and placed them in the grave - as close as possible to the body of the deceased relative. Thus they showed how much they loved him, how dear he was to them...

WORK IS NOT A WOLF - WILL NOT ESCAPE INTO THE FOREST “Take your time, lie down, rest, work will wait” - this is the meaning of this proverb in modern Russian. However, its original meaning was not at all to indulge one’s laziness by postponing important things for later. It was just the opposite! In the old days, when a wolf ran into a village, women and children immediately hid in their houses and waited for the animal to run into the forest. And their work, abandoned for a while, will not run away, will not go anywhere. Therefore, what to expect? As soon as the danger has passed, you must immediately begin work left in the garden, in the yard or around the house.

DON’T OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S LOAF “Everyone loves to eat someone else’s food for free” - we filled this proverb with such narrowly destructive content today. But the story here is again of the exact opposite nature. There used to be a custom: before everyone sat down at the table, the owner would go outside from the hut and shout loudly: “Is anyone hungry?” That is, the owner opened his mouth wide open and invited all the hungry to his loaf: neighbors, relatives, beggars, random passers-by. It’s no good when everyone eats, but someone remains hungry.

DEBT IS BEAUTIFUL IN PAYMENT Perhaps, today this is one of the most frequently used proverbs: many creditors angrily demand that debtors give back what they have taken, calling them, harassing them, threatening them. Trouble, and that’s all... In fact, this proverb teaches you to forgive debts. Our wise ancestors acted in a simple-minded Christian way: when lending something to someone, they never expected a return, much less asked or demanded it. They were sincerely happy to help everyone in need just like that, without any self-interest. When the debt was finally returned, they blushed deeply: they were ashamed to accept it back...

Just think about WHAT WE HAVE LOST! How high were the morals of our wise ancestors, and how reduced we were in comparison with them...

Let's give a few more examples of truncated proverbs.

A holy place is never empty.AND AN EMPTY PLACE IS NOT HOLY!

Hunger is not an aunt - WILL NOT BRING A PIE.

For a beaten person they give two unbeaten ones,IT DOESN'T HURT.

A mosquito won't knock down a horse,UNTIL THE BEAR HELPS.

Whoever remembers the old is out of sight, AND WHO WHO FORGETS is BOTH.

It’s not all Maslenitsa for the cat, THERE WILL BE LENT.

The woodpecker is not sad that he cannot sing: THE WHOLE FOREST HEARS HIM.

Alone in the field is not a warrior, BUT A TRAVELER.

Fear's eyes are big, but they don't see anything.

Crazy chamber, YES THE KEY IS LOST.

My tongue is my enemy: BEFORE THE MIND IT SURVEYS, IT SEEKS FOR TROUBLE.

More examples of how you can’t remove words from a song, otherwise the meaning becomes different.

At least half of the proverbs changed their meaning with the loss of their ending.

* Grandmother was wondering and said in two ways: either it will rain or it will snow, either it will happen or not;

* Poverty is not a vice, but twice as bad;

* Lucky as a drowned man on Saturday - there is no need to heat the bathhouse;

* A raven will not peck out a crow’s eye, but will peck it out and not pull it out;

* It was smooth on paper, but they forgot about the ravines and walked along them;

* Goal like a falcon, but sharp like an axe;

* Hunger is not an aunt, but a dear mother;

* The lip is not a fool, the tongue is not a shovel;

* Two boots in a pair, and both are left;

* Two boots in a pair, both on one foot;

* Girlish shame - to the threshold: she crossed and forgot;

* The master’s work is afraid, but another is the master of the work;

* A spoon is on its way to dinner, and then at least under a bench;

* At least a fool has a stake - he puts two of his own;

* If you chase two hares, you won’t catch a single wild boar;

* The hare's legs carry, the wolf's teeth feed, the fox's tail takes care of;

* It’s time for business and time for fun;

* The hen pecks at the grain, and the whole yard is covered in droppings;

* Bad luck is the beginning, there is a hole, there will be a gap;

* Young people scold - they amuse themselves, and old people scold - they get angry;

* Don’t open your mouth to someone else’s loaf, get up early and start your own;

* A new broom sweeps in a new way, but when it breaks, it lies under the bench;

* Horses die from work, but people grow stronger;

* The stick has two ends, it hits here and there;

* Repetition is the mother of learning, the consolation of fools;

* Repetition is the mother of learning, and a refuge for the lazy;

* For a drunk, the sea is knee-deep, and the puddle is up to his ears;

* Dust is a column, smoke is a rocker, but the hut is not heated, not swept;

* Grow big, but don’t be a noodle, stretch a mile, but don’t be simple;

* A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar, so he avoids them;

* If you get along with a bee, you’ll get honey; if you get along with a beetle, you’ll end up in manure;

* Seven troubles - one answer, the eighth trouble - nowhere at all;

* The dog lies in the hay, does not eat itself and does not give it to the cattle;

* An old horse will not spoil the furrows, nor will it plow deep;

* Bread on the table - and the table is a throne, but not a piece of bread - and the table is a board;

* Miracles in a sieve: there are many holes, but nowhere to jump out;

* Sewn and covered, but the knot is here;

* My tongue is my enemy, it speaks before my mind.

We all know many proverbs, but often we do not realize that they have a continuation. Sometimes it was lost in the depths of centuries, sometimes it was invented by some witty person for a well-known proverb, but, one way or another, often it is it that reveals a new meaning to an old truth. And sometimes this continuation exists in several versions, which turn a well-known idea into a completely different direction... This is what I have managed to find so far, although there are probably many more such examples.

Grandmother was wondering, and said in two: Either it’s raining or it’s snowing, or it’s going to happen, or it’s not going to happen.

Poverty is not a vice, and much worse / and twice as bad.

In a healthy body healthy mind - rare luck / rare occurrence / rarity.

Lucky as a drowned man on Saturday, - there is no need to heat the bathhouse.

The raven will not peck out the crow's eyes, and he’ll peck it out, but won’t pull it out.

It was smooth on paper, but they forgot about the ravines and walked along them.

Goal like a falcon and as sharp as an ax.

Hunger is not an aunt, but a dear mother.
Hunger is not an aunt - you can't drive me into the forest.
Hunger is not an aunt - won’t slip / won’t offer a pie.
Lip no fool, the tongue is not a shovel - it knows where it’s sweet.
Two of a Kind, yes both left / yes both on one leg.

Girlish shame - to the threshold, stepped over and forgot.

The master's work is afraid, and another master of the matter.

The road is a spoon for dinner, and there at least under the bench.
At least it's fun for a fool, he puts his two.
Wait for the sense putting your teeth on the shelf!

For a beaten person they give two unbeaten ones, it doesn't hurt to take it.

If you chase two hares, you won’t catch a single wild boar.

The hare's legs are worn, the wolf's teeth are fed, the fox's tail is protected. (This is a complete version of the well-known proverb “The legs feed the wolf.”)

And eat the fish and take a ride on a taratayka.

A mosquito won't knock down a horse, until the bear helps.
Kopeck edgewise will seem like a ruble.
Whoever remembers the old, out of sight / out of sight, and whoever forgets the old - both (out).

The hen pecks at the grain, and the whole yard is covered in droppings.

Down and Out trouble started, and then the end is near.
Down and Out trouble started: there is a hole, there will be a hole.

Love is blind, and the goats take advantage of it.

It’s young and green, it’s advisable to take a walk.

The young people scold - (only) amuse themselves, and the old people scold and rage.

Don’t open your mouth to someone else’s loaf, get up early and get started.

Our business is small / veal: I ate and went to the nook.
Every day is not Sunday, there will be a fast / there will be a great post.

The woodpecker is not sad that he cannot sing, the whole forest can already hear him.
Teach your grandmother to suck eggs, eat smoked/baked shit. (I apologize, but you can’t throw out the words from a proverb, just like from a song.)
Neither fish nor fowl, neither caftan nor cassock.

A new broom sweeps in a new way, and when it breaks, it’s lying under the bench.

Alone in the field is not a warrior, but a traveler.

The horses are dying from work, and people are getting stronger.

It's a double-edged sword, it hits here and there.
The rooster thought too marry the cook, but end up in the soup.
Repetition is the mother of learning, a consolation for fools / and a refuge for the lazy.

Dust in a column, smoke in a rocker, but the hut is not heated, not swept.
A drunk is knee-deep in the sea, and he will choke in a puddle.
The drunken sea is knee-deep, and the puddle is up to your ears / up to your head.

Work is not a wolf, it won’t run away into the forest, That’s why it’s necessary to do it, damn it.

Grow big, don't be a noodle stretch a mile, don't be simple.
A hand washes a hand, a thief covers a thief.
The hand washes the hand, but both itch.

Birds of a feather flock together, that's why he avoids it.

If you get along with the bee, you'll get some honey, If you get in touch with a beetle, you'll end up in manure.

Seven troubles - one answer, eighth problem - nowhere at all.
God helps the brave and the devil shakes a drunk.

God owns the brave and the devil shakes drunk.

Dog in the manger lies there, doesn’t eat herself and doesn’t give it to the cattle.
Ate the dog (yes only) choked on his tail.
Dog life: you need to lie, but there is nothing to eat.
An old horse will not spoil the furrow, but it plows shallowly / and it doesn’t plow deeply / but it plows shallowly.

Fear has big eyes, they don't see anything.
I'm crazy, but the key is lost.
Bread (salt) on the table - and the table is a throne, and not a piece of bread - and the table is board.

Trouble - mouth full, and there's nothing to bite.
Miracles in a sieve - everything is in holes, but no water spills.
Miracles in a sieve - there are a lot of holes, but there is nowhere to get out / and there is nowhere to jump out.

All right, but the knot is here.
I am not me, and the horse is not mine, and I am not the cab driver.

My tongue is my enemy: speaks before the mind.

My tongue is my enemy, before the mind prowls, seeks troubles.

(Based on Internet materials)

Many people in everyday life use certain sayings, proverbs and other examples of folk wisdom that have been created over the years, centuries and have developed into a whole layer of culture of the Russian people. But due to current circumstances, we do not know all the sayings completely. Some sayings and proverbs have survived to this day in a shortened version. The meaning is already clear to everyone, but the continuation, the ending of the saying, is also interesting. It’s never too late to learn and experience new things, as they say, so the sayings in their full form should be read and remembered. Still, this is folk wisdom, after all. And the full versions of famous sayings are quite interesting.

Full versions of proverbs

A raven will not peck out a crow's eye, but will peck it out and not pull it out.

The dust is a column, the smoke is a rocker, but the hut is not heated, not swept.

An old horse will not spoil the furrows, and it will not plow deep.

Horses die from work, but people grow stronger.

The hen pecks every grain, and the whole yard is covered in droppings.

Fear has big eyes, but they see nothing.

They ate the dog and choked on its tail.

Bad luck is the beginning - there is a hole, there will be a gap.

The ward is crazy, but the key is lost.

My tongue - my enemy - prowls before my mind, looking for trouble.

Hunger is not an aunt - she won’t bring you a pie.

The fisherman sees the fisherman from afar, so he avoids them.

Even if a fool likes a stake, he puts two of his own.

Young people scold and are amused, and old people scold and get angry.

Neither fish, nor meat - neither caftan, nor cassock.

Miracles in the sieve - there are many holes, but nowhere to jump out.

The lip is not a fool - the tongue is not a shovel.

Whoever remembers the old is out of sight, and whoever forgets is both.

The hand washes the hand, but both itch.

For a beaten person they give two unbeaten ones, but they don’t take much.

Alone in the field is not a warrior, but a traveler.

A new broom sweeps in a new way, but when it breaks, it lies under the bench.

For a drunk, the sea is knee-deep, and the puddle is up to his ears.

Goal is like a falcon, but sharp as an axe.

You're as lucky as a drowned man on Saturday - you don't have to heat the bathhouse.

Two boots in a pair, both left.

If you chase two hares, you won’t catch a single wild boar.

All right, but the knot is here.

Old age is not a joy and youth is disgusting.

Important proverbs with missing additions November 23rd, 2011

Grandmother [wondered] in two ways and said [either it will rain or it will snow, either it will happen or not].
Poverty is not a vice [but twice as bad].
A healthy mind in a healthy body [a rarity].


It was smooth on paper [but they forgot about the ravines and walked along them].

Hunger is not an aunt [but a dear mother].


Two boots in a pair [yes, both are left].
Two boots in a pair [yes, both on one foot].
Girlish shame - up to the threshold [crossed and forgot].
The master’s work is afraid [and another master of the work].
A spoon is on its way to dinner [and then at least for a bench].
At least the fool has a stake [he puts two of his own].

If you chase two hares, you won’t catch a single [boar].
The hare's legs carry [the wolf's teeth feed, the fox's tail protects].
[And] time for business, [and] time for fun.
A mosquito will not knock down a horse [until the bear helps].
Whoever remembers the old is out of sight [and whoever forgets is both].


It’s young and green [ordered to take a walk].
Young people scold and amuse themselves [and old people scold and get angry].
Don’t open your mouth to someone else’s loaf [get up early and start your own].
Our business is veal [he ate and went to the nook].
It’s not all Maslenitsa for the cat [there will be fasting].
The woodpecker is not sad that he cannot sing [the whole forest can hear him anyway].



It's a double-edged sword [it hits here and there].
Repetition is the mother of learning [the consolation of fools].
Repetition is the mother of learning [and a refuge for the lazy].


Grow big, [yes] don’t be a noodle [stretch a mile, but don’t be simple].
If you get along with a bee, you’ll get some honey [if you get in touch with a beetle, you’ll end up in manure].
Seven troubles - one answer [the eighth trouble is nowhere at all].
The dog lies in the hay [lies, does not eat itself and does not give it to the cattle].
He ate the dog [but only choked on his tail].

If you drive more quietly, you will be further [from where you are going].

Uma chamber [yes the key is lost].
Bread on the table - and the table is a throne [but not a piece of bread - and the table is a board].
My mouth is full of trouble [and there is nothing to bite].

It's hidden [and the knot is here].
I am not me, and the horse is not mine [and I am not the cab driver].
My tongue is my enemy [speaks before the mind].
My tongue is my enemy [it prowls before the mind, seeks trouble].

Whoever remembers the old is out of sight.

The proverb had a continuation: “And whoever forgets, keep both eyes out!”

A new broom sweeps in a new way...

And when it breaks, it’s lying under the bench!

Like a fish needs a bicycle?

She's so funny!

Respect honor from a young age...

And my father-in-law is hungry!

Birds of a feather flock together.

The proverb that we now know about fishermen applied at that time to brothers-in-law, and sounded like this: “A brother-in-law sees his brother-in-law from afar.”

A holy place is never empty…

And an empty place is never sacred!

Every family has its black sheep.

Misinterpretation: In any family or company there is always one fool.

The first child was called a freak. Freak - standing near the clan, under protection. A couple was called a family only after the birth of their first child. “Uroda” means “beauty” in some Slavic languages. The first one was always the most beautiful. Those. the proverb will sound: “A family cannot exist without its first child.”

The horses are dying from work!

The full version of the saying goes like this: “Work makes horses die, but people grow stronger.”

My house is on the edge.

Misinterpretation: “Get away from me, I don’t know anything.”

The people living on the edge of the village had a special responsibility - to be the first to meet any danger and, if necessary, to repel any danger. Therefore, the bravest and strongest people lived in the huts “on the edge”. The man actually said: “I am ready to protect everyone’s peace with my life.”

Your shirt is closer to your body.

Incorrect interpretation: “My interests are dearer to me.”

These words were pronounced at the funeral of a warrior killed in battle, when the brothers took off their shirts and put them in the grave - closer to the body of the deceased. In this way they showed how dear he was to them.

Work is not a wolf - it won’t run away into the forest.

Misinterpretation: “The work can wait.”

In fact, the meaning of the saying is not at all to put things off. On the contrary, in the old days, when a wolf ran into a village, women and children hid in their houses and waited for him to run into the forest. But work won’t go anywhere. Therefore, work is not going anywhere, there is no need to wait - we need to start working.

Debt good turn deserves another.

Incorrect interpretation: “The honor of a debtor is to repay the debt on time.”

When borrowing something, they did not expect a return and understood that it was about helping their brother. When the debt was returned, it was a shame to take it away. A proverb about selflessness.

Everyone's mouth is wide open for other people's grub.

Misinterpretation: “Everyone likes to eat for free.”

It was customary - before everyone sat down at the table, the owner went outside from the hut and shouted: “Is anyone hungry?” That is, the owner opened his mouth wide open and loudly called for the hungry. It is not good for anyone to eat. And before people can sit down, all the cattle must first be fed.

Neither fish, nor meat, [neither caftan, nor cassock].
They ate the dog, [choked on the tail].
Uma ward, [yes the key is lost].
Two boots in a pair, [both left].
At least the fool has a lot of fun, [he puts two of his own].
The hand washes the hand, [and they both itch].
Lucky as a [Saturday] drowned man [no need to heat the bathhouse].
A raven won’t peck out a crow’s eye [and it will peck it out and not pull it out].
Goal like a falcon [and sharp like an axe].
Hunger is not an auntie [she won’t bring you a pie].
The lip is not a fool [the tongue is not a shovel].
For a beaten person they give two unbeaten ones [but they don’t take too much].
If you chase two hares, you won’t catch a single [boar].
Whoever remembers the old is out of sight [and whoever forgets is both].
The hen pecks every grain [and the whole yard is covered in droppings].
Bad luck is the beginning [there is a hole, there will be a gap].
The young people scold and are amused [and the old people scold and get angry].
A new broom sweeps in a new way [and when it breaks, it lies under the bench].
Alone in the field is not a warrior [but a traveler].
Horses die from work [and people grow stronger].
The drunken sea is knee-deep [and the puddle is up to his ears].
Dust is a column, smoke is a rocker [but the hut is not heated, not swept].
A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar [that’s why he avoids them].
An old horse will not spoil the furrows [and will not plow deeply].
Fear has big eyes [but they don’t see anything].
Miracles in a sieve [there are many holes, but nowhere to jump out].
It's hidden [and the knot is here].
My tongue is my enemy [it prowls before the mind, seeks trouble].