I’m starving!
Here’s some grapes.
I wish I had something really good to eat.
Well, beggars can’t be choosers.
——————–
When I was young it was common for kids and adults to use the phrase beggars can’t be choosers. Are you familiar with the saying?
Tipper
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Can’t remember I time that I didn’t know and use that phrase.
I learned another when our daughter was small and watched the “Alice in Wonderland” series on TV. Somewhere one of the characters says, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride!”
I’ve replaced ‘Beggars can’t be choosers’ with ‘If wishes were horses, beggars would ride!’
I’ve heard all the sayings mentioned above. I remember my grandfather always saying “waste no want not”. I wonder how all these sayings apply today since a lot of people feel that they are entitled to things of their choice, even if they don’t work for it.
Heard it and use it!
For some reason this saying makes me feel a little cranky. I must have heard it a thousand times over the years, mostly from sassy brats when I was a kid. It’s really old and probably universal among English speaking people. I was curious enough to look up the origin. It was first recorded in 1562. Also remember “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” Grace is always in order when receiving a gift.
O have I heard this one.. let me count the times.. On second thought, not enough time…
Tipper, well this is a familiar one, heard this from my Mama all my life growing up and still say it today all the time. Thanks
Tipper,
I’ve heard that all my life. And
I got to agree with Ed, about you
being young…Ken
Oh, if I had a nickel…
Heard it all my life and still say it when needed.
Have heard it all my life all around the world.
I’ve heard this one all my life, and I still use it.
Yes & for some reason this brought to mind the saying, “If a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his butt” & then ” If wishes were horses, beggars would ride”.
I still say it. In fact, I can’t think of another way to say exactly that.
Have heard it and have used it all of my life!
I have heard that saying my whole life!
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
Heard this all my life and still use it plenty!
couople friends of mine from around here have also said “people in hell want ice water”
I always heard and said, “Beggars can’t be choosey.” I used it often with our daughter who seemed to never be satisfied with what was available for snacks.
What do you mean “when I was young?” If you’re not young, where does that put me?
That was a common phrase especially when, as children, we wanted something we thought was special for us, but either it wasn’t available or we were being told to be satisfied with what was being offered. Good one!
Indeed, I have heard the expression OFTEN in my childhood days! But somehow I did not associate “beggars” with poor folks in the mountains. I often heard the expression “We may be poor, but we are proud!” i.e. We are NOT BEGGARS!
But when our dear Mother heard us claiming to be ‘proud’ she would quote a scripture from her Holy Bible about what happens to someone who is proud! So proud was not in our diction.
HAPPY APRIL FIRST!
Eva Nell
I’m very familiar with the saying. I try not to say I’m starving, just I’m hungry. I used to be so skinny I was afraid people would think I was actually starving. Now if I said I’m starving they would know better. Every two or three years I have to spend a couple months on Weight Watchers to get back to where I want to be.
I heard that “Beggars can’t be Choosers” and a variant, “Beggars can’t be Choosey” so I learned “Not to Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth.”
Yes, heard this expression frequently as a kid and still on occasion.
Tipper–Momma used it regularly, usually when on of the children wanted something they either didn’t need of which the family couldn’t afford.
Jim Casada
Oh yes, heard that one all my life!
Yes..I have heard that all of my life and still say it!
Louisiana saying as well. Have heard it all my life.
Absolutely!