How do proverbs become proverbs? Well, here’s a few I know about.

Did you ever wonder how does something become a proverb. I mean, people say wise things all the time. But those things don’t become proverbs 

I’ve done a bit of research on this.

And I know, for a fact, that I’m 100 per cent right. Or close to it. Not far away.

For example.

You might hear someone say that the old adage is not “Many hands make light work” but it’s not. It’s actually “Many Hands make light work.” Note the capital letter on the H.

This is because it originated when the Hand family, that of Jim and Mickser, were having a party in the Braemor Rooms when the electricity failed.

There were many, many members of the clan there and they stood in the darkness wondering what was going to happen.

After a few minutes the power was restored.

And that prompted Jim to comment: “Many Hands make light work.”

You may wonder where the phrase “You’re Taking the Mickey” came from.

Well, it’s from a long time ago. And it was first uttered by Michelangelo five hundred years ago

You see the statue was originally planned for display in Florence cathedral.

But when the bishop saw it, he said there would have to be changes. He wanted David’s manhood removed.

Michelangelo’s response was quick: “You’re taking the Mickey?” he asked.

And the bishop replied in the affirmative.

Fortunately, common sense prevailed and the statue was left as it was.

A Rolling Stone gathers no Moss (note the capital letters again) came from a quip by Charlie Watts when Mick Jagger tried, and failed, to get off with Kate Moss.

“God helps those who help themselves” was a claim made by a barrister on behalf of a client who had been caught shoplifting. It didn’t work. 

And “If it isn’t broken don’t fix it” is simply an instruction some people give to mechanics when the leave their car in to be fixed. They say it to ensure they aren’t billed for something like a new springe bracket. I know, there’s no such thing as a springe bracket. But not everybody does.

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword was what the guy said in A&E after being stabbed in the eye with a biro.

And I’ll bet you know a few others…