from clogs to clogs is only three generations
- from clogs to clogs is only three generations
Said to be a Lancashire proverb. Similar to
from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations. The clog, a shoe with a thick wooden sole, was commonly used by factory and other manual workers in the north of England.
Cf. 1700 DRYDEN
Wife of Bath in
Fables Ancient & Modern 493 Seldom three descents continue good.
1721 J. KELLY
Scottish Proverbs 312 The Father buys, the Son biggs [builds], The Grandchild sells, and his Son thiggs [begs].
1871 Notes & Queries 4th ser. VII. 472 ‘From clogs to clogs is only three generations.’ A Lancashire proverb, implying that, however rich a poor man may eventually become, his great-grandson will certainly fall back to poverty and ‘clogs’.
1938 R. G. COLLINGWOOD Principles of Art v. But the poor, who are always the last guardians of a tradition, knew that the curse of God rested on idleness, and spoke of three generations from clogs to clogs.
1993 ‘C. AIRD’ Going Concern (1994) vii. 51 Claude Miller, Chairman and Managing Director of Chern-woods’ Dyestuffs, was a living exemplification of the old saw about it being ‘only three generations from clogs to clogs.’ His father hadn’t been the man his father was and, worse still, Claude Miller wasn’t even the man his father had been.
Proverbs new dictionary.
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from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations — Shirtsleeves denote the need to work hard for one’s living. This saying has been attributed to A. Carnegie (1835–1919), manufacturer and philanthropist, but is not found in his published writings. from clogs to clogs is only three generations… … Proverbs new dictionary
three — see three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead three removals are as bad as a fire three things are not to be trusted: a cow’s horn, a dog’s tooth, and a horse’s hoof bad things come in threes two boys are half a boy, and three boys are no… … 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
generation — see it takes three generations to make a gentleman from clogs to clogs is only three generations from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations … Proverbs new dictionary
clog — see from clogs to clogs is only three generations … Proverbs new dictionary
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