As They Say In Zanzibar. David Crystal
rivers and bad government, the lightest things swim at the top USA
2 There are many paths to the top of the mountain – but the view is always the same CHINA
3 When the going is rough, big potatoes come to the top USA
4 At the bottom of the bag one finds the bill NETHERLANDS
5 A basket with its bottom burst is useless NIGERIA
6 Even the bottom of a basket finds something to hold MADAGASCAR
7 One pebble doesn’t make a floor NIGERIA
8 If you try to sit on two chairs, you’ll sit on the floor USA
9 At the foot of the lighthouse it is dark JAPAN
94 HOLDING
1 Everything has two handles GREECE
2 From the midst of the wood the hatchet gets its handle GERMANY
3 The basket that has two handles can be carried by two EGYPT
4 A handleless axe does not scare the forest BULGARIA
5 You cannot hold two water melons in one hand IRAN
6 A small bed will not hold two persons NIGERIA
7 A needle cannot hold two threads or a mind two thoughts ETHIOPIA
8 Whoever holds the ladder is as bad as the thief GERMANY
9 When you pick up a stick at one end, you also pick up the other end USA
10 When you have no companion, consult your walking-stick ALBANIA
95 SUPPORT
1 Failures are the pillars of success WALES
2 The eyes close in sleep, but the pillow remains awake MALAYSIA
3 It is not common for hens to have pillows SCOTLAND
4 The rod that will hang him is still growing IRELAND
5 All the keys in the land do not hang from one girdle SCOTLAND
6 Some hang out more than they wash USA
7 Bread is the staff of life, but the pudding makes a good crutch SCOTLAND
8 Promise is a bridge of words, unsafe to walk across GERMANY
96 TABLES – CHAIRS
1 When the cat’s not home, the mice jump on the table NETHERLANDS
2 You can’t eat a square meal off a round table USA
3 At a round table every seat is first GERMANY
4 If you try to sit on two chairs, you’ll sit on the floor USA
5 Those who have free seats at a play hiss first CHINA
6 Don’t be breaking your shin on a stool that’s not in your way IRELAND
7 One sits best on one’s own bench NORWAY
8 A good buttock finds a bench for itself ESTONIA
97 UPRIGHT – FALLING
1 An empty bag cannot stand upright ENGLAND
2 An empty sack can’t stand, nor a dead cat walk IRELAND
3 One never falls but on the side towards which one leans FRANCE
4 Those who place their ladder too steeply will easily fall backwards CZECH REPUBLIC
5 A low stump upsets the sledge FINLAND
6 On a level road a small stone upsets the cartload ESTONIA
7 There’s no such thing as a horse that can’t be rode or a cowboy that can’t be throwed USA
98 OUTSIDE – INSIDE
1 Don’t snap your fingers at the dogs before you are outside the village FRANCE
2 A gardener’s flirtations take place outside the garden AFGHANISTAN
3 The candle is put into the lantern and the moth is left outside fluttering IRAN
4 There’s more room outside than inside CANADA
5 The shell is needed till the bird is hatched RUSSIA
6 Do not fill your basket with useless shells of coconuts KENYA
7 The beauty of the corn cob is apparent on the inside only KENYA
8 When hunger gets inside you, nothing else can NIGERIA
9 The sun cannot shine into an inverted bowl CHINA
10 Those who come too late find the platter turned over NETHERLANDS
11 A frog beneath a coconut shell believes there is no other world MALAYSIA
12 There’s more room outside than inside CANADA
99 COVERING
1 The highest hill is usually covered with clouds SCOTLAND
2 Every cloud has a silver lining ENGLAND
3 If one finger is gashed, all the fingers are covered with blood REPUBLIC OF CONGO
4 If you go to the wedding you cover up the sledge ESTONIA
5 The one who was surprised by a turtle is surprised by a pot cover KOREA
6 One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade CHINA
7 Big tree but no shade PHILIPPINES
8 The woman who sells fans often shades her eyes with her hands CHINA
9 Send your charity abroad wrapped in blankets ENGLAND
10 That which is said at table should be wrapped up in the tablecloth ITALY
11 Paper can’t wrap up a fire CHINA
100 CLOTHING
1 Even a silk shirt only clothes a naked body GERMANY
2 Those whose mother is naked are not likely to clothe their aunt SUDAN
3 New clothes have no lice NAMIBIA
4 Dress slowly when you are in a hurry FRANCE
5 Those who have two garments do not wear one only ZANZIBAR
6 Only God helps the ill-dressed SPAIN
7 People sell their rags in their own market EGYPT
8 The more naked the jackal the larger the tail SOUTH AFRICA
9 Clothes put on while running come off while running ETHIOPIA
101 BODYWEAR
1 You must go behind the door to mend old breeches ENGLAND
2 A protector is like a cloak HAITI
3 The borrowed cloak never warms SYRIA
4 Hunger doesn’t say, ‘Stale bread,’ and cold doesn’t say ‘Old coat.’ GEORGIA
5 When someone’s coat is threadbare, it is easy to pick a hole in it ENGLAND
6 Cut your coat according to your cloth ENGLAND
7 One spot spots the whole dress BELGIUM
8 The forest is the poor person’s fur-coat ESTONIA
9 A padded jacket is an acceptable gift, even in summer JAPAN
10 Raindrops can’t tell broadcloth from jeans USA
11 A cat with mittens won’t catch mice SCOTLAND
12 Keep your broken arm inside your sleeve CHINA
13 Habit is a shirt that we wear till death RUSSIA
14 Even a silk shirt only clothes a naked body GERMANY
15 Never trust a fellow that