It’s Not Just A Phrase, Mom!

This week, boss man Dave Saunders is working in Texas with the Madison+Main leadership team. They’re doing a branding deep dive deep down in the Lone Star state with our newest client – the City of New Braunfels. I’m Lauren McKinney, and I have staged a hostile takeover of the Weekly Report. As they say, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

That’s not all they say – adages and proverbs (old sayings that are passed down through generations) are a staple of conversation in our world. As a copywriter, like Dave, I too have a fascination with etymology, so I was excited to share some word nerd stuff this week. Let’s run through some popular phrases people use – often incorrectly.

How often have you heard, “Birds of a feather flock together?” This saying highlights that people with like minds and interests often find themselves connected by them. However, there’s a long history of colloquial phrases being shortened in a way that changes their meaning completely. The entire phrase reads: “Birds of a feather flock together, until the cat comes.” Voila! The perspective shifts – similarity can connect us, but it’s in times of difficulty that you find out who your real friends are. 

“Curiosity killed the cat.” My mom said this to me more times than I can count, and I wish I’d known the full phrase then. It finishes with, “but satisfaction brought it back.” Aha! A devastatingly effective comeback, and again, an almost total shift in meaning. Use the full phrase at your own discretion, especially around my mom. 

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” This one is very useful if someone is trying to enforce an early morning activity. I will not go hiking on my weekends until 8 a.m. I am the second mouse. I don’t even like worms. And who doesn’t like cheese?! 

Finally, my very favorite one of these chopped-up phrases: “Blood is thicker than water.” This seems to be used mostly when people are highlighting the importance of family and our expectations of them – after all, we’re related, right? But the full phrase reveals the twist: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” Ultimately, we choose our bonds, our community, and our family – and that choice reveals who we are far more than the biological connections we inherit. 

In a world undergoing a lot of change, it’s increasingly important to nurture that connection to your community and your people, many of whom probably ARE your biological family! At Madison+Main, I have found a second family full of lovable goofballs and incredible creatives, and I’m proud to be a part. Take some time today, if you can, to connect with your people and give back to your community. And don’t eat any worms. Or do…it’s your life!

Your regularly scheduled programming returns next week – as does Dave! – but feel free to email us your thoughts, upcoming events, or any favorite phrases! I’m adding to my lexicon.