The Proverb Game

[Keswick (Contributor)]

Hello all,

Why not use a little game to learn English proverbs?

It is fairly easy: I will start with an English proverb and the next person has to use the initial letter of the last word to find a new proverb starting with this letter. 

For example, I say: Don't change horses midstream. The next person has to use the letter M and find a proverb that starts with M, e.g. Many hands make light work.

Does this make sense? Alright, let's go then

[Keswick (Contributor)]

When the cat is away, the mice will play.

Your turn

[Mackenzie1970]

Brilliant idea, Keswick!   

If I got you right the next proverb has to start with the letter 'p'.

*People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.*

[Keswick (Contributor)]

Exactly correct, Mackenzie!

The next proverb should start with 's': Softly, softly, catchee monkey.
(One of my favourites  )

[Guest10-15]

Man proposes, God disposes.

[Keswick (Contributor)]

Don't throw pearls to swines.

[Duckduck (Contributor)]

Still waters run deep!

As Duckduck found out to her cost!   (Yes, you can nearly drown in a bathtub if only the water is as quiet as a mouse and you fall asleep and sink...)

Shouldn't we perhaps try to give the German equivalents - if possible? Here it would be: Stille Wasser sind tief.

Duckduck

[Keswick (Contributor)]

Oh dear, Duckduck, please don't do that again. Make sure you wear proper swim aids next time you go in the bath

You mean, post a new proverb and add the German equivalent (if applicable)? Oh.. that might be challenging   .. what if there is not equivalent? Should we just explain the proverb's meaning?

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face = Man soll den Ast nicht absaegen, auf dem man sitzt.

[Mackenzie1970]

*Facts speak louder than words* - Taten sprechen mehr als Worte.

[Guest10-15]

words don't come easy to me.

Worte fallen mir nicht leicht (dir zu sagen, wie sehr ich dich liebe)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9y5eY1hKuE

when becomes a sentence an adverb or who defines an adverb?

[Mackenzie1970]

I'd say this is just a line from a song ...

But I'm thinking about a thread like this where it's about Idioms. Would that be interesting aswell? Or shall we mix it up?

[Keswick (Contributor)]

I'd be happy to mix it up, as long as:

1. The proverb or idiom starts with the first letter of the previous proverb's/idiom's last word
2. The German equivalent of the proverb/idiom is either given or described

[Mackenzie1970]

Yes, business as usual.

Do you think it's helpful to write whether it's a proverb or an idiom?

Idiom: *make a mountain ouf of a molehill* - aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen

[Keswick (Contributor)]

You can add it, but I personally don't think it's important.

Nothing is certain but death and taxes - Nichts ist so sicher wie das Amen in der Kirche

[Mackenzie1970]

You chose 'n'?

I think it would be better for the ones, who start to learn the language. I really hope they dare to join us.