One for Sorrow: A Book of Old-Fashioned Lore

by Chloe Rhodes

Many of the popular, often prophetic, phrases that people use on a day-to-day basis have their roots in traditional folklore. For example: "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb," "Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home," and "The best-laid schemes o'mice an' men." Such common idioms are familiar to most people, but their history and origins are far from well known. Here readers will discover that there is a wealth of fascinating stories and history behind them. This charming book is filled with sayings, legends, and proverbs derived from the oral history of the countryside, and it unveils how they came about, what they mean, and how they came to be such a big part of language today. Written with a light touch and expert knowledge, it will entertain and inform in equal measure.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore, History, Reference, Language

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Emma Cate · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a lover of language and etymology, I was eagerly looking forward to diving into "One for Sorrow: A Book of Old-Fashioned Lore." However, I must say that I was left feeling somewhat underwhelmed by this read.

While there were certainly some interesting lesser-known sayings and tidbits to be gleaned from the book, I couldn't help but feel that it lacked a certain depth and thoroughness. The author seemed to touch on various topics without ever really getting to the nitty-gritty of anything. It was like a shallow dip in the pool of language, rather than a full-immersion experience.

Moreover, the lack of a conclusion or summing up left me feeling a bit disappointed. I was left with the sense that the author had simply scratched the surface of the subject matter without ever really delving deeper or coming to any meaningful conclusions.

All in all, while "One for Sorrow" may be worth a perusal for those with a casual interest in language and lore, I can't say that I would wholeheartedly recommend it to the serious etymologist. It's a bit like having a nibble of a snack when what you really crave is a full, satisfying meal.

[Beccy · Rating 5 out of 5]

True rating; 4.75 stars

He that goes barefoot must not plant thorns.
Or..
Feel free to plant thorns if you've got a sensible pair of thick-soled boots, a modern version might go, but stick to artificially cultivated thornless roses if you prefer to float around with your shoes and socks off.

An excellent collection of sayings that have become well known while their original meaning has been forgotten or evolved. Far from being a dry book of informative non-fiction, Rhodes has the perfect conversational tone and my only criticism would be on some phrases she could have gone on in more depth as I would have happily read more.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little book on where phrases like more grist to the mill come from ! A folk tale book really ! I love these little side parts of cultural and lingual history ! Well worth a read !

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all tend to use certain phrases regularly in our day-to-day speech and this little book gives us the origin, and meaning of those phrases and little observations that have been handed down to us over time, and provides a peak at how these sayings have altered over the years. Citing sources from as far back as the ancient Greeks, and in every instance citing the first English reference to each phrase, a history lesson is given for each saying. We learn how each has changed meaning over the centuries, and how some have a scientific truth behind them, making them more than just lore. Few regional variations are provided, and only one or two references to American versions but it's easy to see the links, especially for this former Australian who grew up with similar, but not exactly the same maxims as those included in the book.

Included is a bibliography, a handy index, and it is peppered throughout with woodcuts by Charles Bewick by way of illustration.

[Fern Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overflowing with information this book looks at the roots of common sayings and idioms we use often today but probably have no idea where they came from. A book I will be frequently returning to. Suitable for dipping in and out of but also really easy to sit and read straight through.

[Grace Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been picking this one up every now and then for months, finished it. Super fun, short little chapters, each one going into the history behind a different proverb or saying. Well written, interesting and engaging. Loved it!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mixture of well- and lesser-known sayings. An enjoyable read.

[Jade Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting

Loved this book , I found it fascinating and really easy to follow. I can whole heartedly recommend this book.

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Straightforward, on point, with intriguing story behind each saying. Very good read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and packed with information, easy to dip in and out of.

[Hannah Birkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It does what it says on the tin but I found it a bit dull and wordy at times. Some really cool sayings though, weather lore is particularly interesting!

[Calenmarwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book of common sayings and the history behind them. Would recommend to anyone interested in old fashioned lore.

[Library Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐔🌧️🐈‍⬛🍃

[aliya · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh. this was dull, not particularly thorough, and not interesting. i'd recommend albert jack's pop goes the weasel, or the great cat massacre, or the oxford dictionary of literary symbolism over this.

[Richard Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little tome. Most of the lore concerns, predictably, weather, as this was crucial to the good folk of yore.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zum Inhalt: Auch in der englischen Sprache gibt es eine ganze Menge Sprichwörter, die noch aus alten Zeiten stammen. Heutzutage klingen sie zum Teil komisch, denn wer orientiert sich heutzutage schon an Vögeln oder anderen Naturvorkommnissen? Trotzdem bedienen wir uns ihrer noch heute, um sie als Metaphern zu nutzen. In "One For Sorrow" werden einige dieser Sprichwörter erklärt und ihre Herkunft erkundet.

Meine Meinung: Das eBook hatte ich mir in einer Aktionswoche gekauft, in welcher viele englische eBooks für 0,99 € bei Amazon angeboten wurden. Vorab muss ich direkt sagen, dass ich mich auch echt ärgern würde, wenn ich dafür mehr ausgegeben hätte.

Die Idee an sich mag ich sehr. Es werden ja auch immer wieder Sprichwörter und Redewendungen in diversen Wissenssendungen im TV erklärt und das finde ich immer sehr interessant. Es gibt ja wirklich so einige Sprichwörter, die wir zwar regelmäßig sagen, die aber aus heutiger Sicht doch echt skurril wirken.

Im Gegensatz zu diesen Fernsehsendungen schafft es "One For Sorrow" aber leider nicht, diese Geschichten und Anekdoten auch einigermaßen unterhaltsam zu verpacken. Den meisten von ihnen werden gerade mal 1-2 Seiten gewidmet und davon bezieht sich ein großer Teil auch noch auf die Bedeutung und ihren Einsatz in der heutigen Zeit. Besonders gut geschrieben ist das Buch dazu ebenfalls nicht. Man hätte sich z.B. kleine Geschichten zur Herkunft einfallen lassen oder mehr historische Daten einbringen können. So beschränkt sich das Buch lediglich auf Angaben wie "stammt aus dem XX. Jahrhundert" und ist insgesamt eher wie ein Nachschlagewerk geschrieben. Manche Erklärungen wirken dadurch auch sehr platt und riefen bei mir lediglich eine "Ach was?"-Reaktion hervor. Dass z.B. "Eine Schwalbe macht noch keinen Sommer" mit Zugvögeln zu tun hat und eben daher stammt, dass der Anblick einer einzelnen Schwalbe noch kein Anzeichen für den Sommerbeginn ist, hätte ich mir auch ohne dieses Buch so gerade eben denken können.

Insgesamt war das Buch für mich also leider enttäuschend. Zwei Sterne gibt es aber immerhin dafür, dass man es eventuell für später als Nachschlagewerk nutzen kann, wenn in einem anderen Buch mal eine Redewendung zum Einsatz kommt, deren Bedeutung ich nicht kenne oder vergessen habe.

Diese und weitere Rezensionen findet ihr auch auf meinem Blog: http://rabbitholereading.blogspot.com

[Ancestral Gaidheal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Day-to-day speech is peppered with certain phrases, pithy sayings and folkore and this little book endeavours to give us the origin, and meaning of some of those phrases, with little observations which have been handed down over time, and an idea of how these sayings have altered over time. Citing sources from as far back as the ancient Greeks, and in every instance citing the first English reference to each phrase, a history lesson is given for each saying. We learn how each has changed meaning over the centuries, and how some have a scientific truth behind them, making them more than just lore. Few regional variations are provided, and only one or two references to American versions but it's easy to see the links, especially for this former Australian who grew up with similar, but not exactly the same maxims as those included in the book.

Included is a bibliography, a handy index, and it is peppered throughout with woodcuts by Charles Bewick by way of illustration.

This book was a short, interesting read which corrected certain misinterpretations of adages on my part, and thus I think it two hours well spent.

[Natira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich fand das Buch durchaus in Ordnung. Es ging darum, woher eine Auswahl an Sprichworten oder Reimen kommen und das wurde im Wesentlichen auch geliefert - wenngleich so manches Mal sehr kurz und wenig überraschend (biblischer Ursprung oder auf Naturbeobachtungen basieren etc.). Für mich gab es allerdings auch Neues zu entdecken, z.B. woher das "etwas Blaues" für Bräute kommen mag oder die wissenschaftliche Kurzerläuterung, weshalb ein am Abend krähender Hahn morgens mit nassem Kopf aufwachen wird oder wie sich z.B. die Interpretation über die Zeit verwässert (über vergossene Milch weinen) hat oder man einen anderen Ursprung als angenommen (time and tide wait for no man) hat.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of lore in nicely written prose. It's interesting how many of them were first recorded in print by the Puritans, revealing just how homely their sermons were.

Liked it.

[Snicketts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather a dull format and lacking in detail. The meaning of most of those examples chosen was self explanatory. The illustrations were sweet though.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

VERY light read, doesn't really add anything that you couldn't guess.

[Pip Snort · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hopeful about this book, that it might be witty and enlightening, but it was not. Instead it is dry and, at least in relation to the Bible quotes, wrong in almost every aspect of their meaning.

[Sybiee Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful dictionary spelling out the history of some of the most used and some forgotten phrases. A truly lovely reminder of the worlds we came from and how they shaped what we have become

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite interesting, could have done with a conclusion though.