Proverb book covers credit crunch

The book contains 2,000 proverbs from around the world

An Arab proverb advises 'To understand the people, acquaint yourself with their proverbs.'

A new release from Oxford University Press will help us to do just that when The Little Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs is released on 29 October.

The book boasts 2,000 proverbs and sayings from around the world, with material from Chinese, African, Middle Eastern and other cultures.

And as the credit crunch hits, certain proverbs new and old come to light.

"Proverbs develop a common wisdom, a consensus of what people think," says Elizabeth Knowles, the book's editor.

An ominous Russian proverb claims 'When money speaks, the truth keeps silent.' An African proverb suggests 'The smaller the lizard, the greater its hopes of becoming a crocodile' while an Italian proverb gloomily states: 'Poverty is a blessing hated by all men'.

Meanwhile it is a Swedish saying that advises 'Don't throw away the old bucket, until you know whether the new one holds water.'

"Particular circumstances tend to bring sayings to the fore," says Elizabeth. "One can quite understand why one of the things we've picked up in the last couple of years is 'The bulls make money, the bears make money but the hogs get slaughtered.'

"You get sayings from particular areas which then reach the public consciousness and then they become a very useful way of talking about something."

Every culture has examples of proverbs, going all the way back to the Bible, medieval Latin and Aristotle, but the book is notable for reflecting modern concerns, such as climate change, for instance: 'The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best is now.'

"I think we remember them because they're very useful," Elizabeth continues. "They actually express something we want to say."

BBC Oxford's favourite proverbs All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy Joel Hammer A rumour goes in one ear and out many mouths Louisa Hannan When the juggernaut chunders down the road, the **** gets sucked up with the honey Bill Heine

The reference book, which follows hot on the heels of the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, has proverbs grouped under 250 subject headings, from Ambition and Dogs, to Temptation and Weddings.

Editing them has been fun for Elizabeth: "It's a lovely job - the pleasure at Oxford of being able to look at what is happening in the language and seeing what proverbs are coming up and being used."

But does 2000 proverbs even scratch the surface, or is it a case of 'A woman's work is never done'?

"Well, certainly a lexicographers work is never done," Elizabeth admits.

New proverbs in the book include...

Beginning is easy; continuing is hard. (Japanese proverb)

It is a poor cook that cannot lick his own fingers. (English proverb)

Beyond the mountains, there are mountains. (Haitian proverb)

Treat your guest as a guest for two days; on the third day give him a hoe. (African proverb)

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move. (Arabic proverb)

The fox should not be on the jury at the goose's trial. (English proverb)

It is not what you call me. It is what I answer to. (African proverb)

If the camel once get his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow. (Arabic proverb)

Power is like an egg: if you hold it too tightly, it breaks, and if you hold it too loosely, it drops and breaks. (African proverb)

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