when in doubt, do nowt

when in doubt, do nowt: Nowt is a dialect form of ‘nought’ = ‘nothing’, here used for the rhyme.

1874 G. J. WHYTE-MELVILLE Uncle John xx. I should wait. When in doubt what to do, he is a wise man who does nothing.

1884 G. WEATHERLY ‘Little Folks’ Proverb Painting Book 64 Err ever on the side that’s safe, And when in doubt, abstain.

1917 J. C. BRIDGE Cheshire Proverbs 155 When in doubt, do nowt. This shows the cautious Cheshireman at his best.

1952 H. CECIL Ways & Means ii. I don’t know. I think it’s one of those occasions where it’s best to follow the maxim: When in doubt, don’t.

1972 E. GRIERSON Confessions of Country Magistrate vii. ‘When in doubt say nowt’ is a precept enshrined over most magistrates’ courts.

1981 E. AGRY Assault Force i. What to do?.. ‘When in doubt, do nowt,’ had always been my grandfather’s advice.

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nowt — see there’s nowt so queer as folk when in doubt, do nowt hear all, see all, say nowt, tak’ all, keep all, gie nowt, and if tha ever does owt for nowt do it for thysen … Proverbs new dictionary
doubt — see when in doubt, do nowt … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
nothing — see nothing comes of nothing nothing for nothing nothing is certain but death and taxes nothing is certain but the unforeseen nothing is for ever there is nothing new under the sun … Proverbs new dictionary
say — see do as I say, not as I do when in doubt, do nowt what everybody says must be true hear all, see all, say nowt, tak’ all, keep all, gie nowt, and if tha ever does owt for nowt do it for thysen what Manchester says today, the rest of England… … Proverbs new dictionary

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