Shakespeare and Early Modern Proverbial Culture
@proverbialculture.bsky.social
Account for the AHRC-funded project, Shakespeare and Early Modern Proverbial Culture.
https://earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/
https://earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/
Why do some sayings survive for centuries?
Join us at Hull History Centre on Tues 25 August (12-5pm) a free talk + hands-on workshop exploring the world of proverbs.
Places are limited: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dyUyFYTxnJ.
#Proverbs #Shakespeare
Join us at Hull History Centre on Tues 25 August (12-5pm) a free talk + hands-on workshop exploring the world of proverbs.
Places are limited: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dyUyFYTxnJ.
#Proverbs #Shakespeare
Microsoft Forms
forms.cloud.microsoft
August 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Why do some sayings survive for centuries?
Join us at Hull History Centre on Tues 25 August (12-5pm) a free talk + hands-on workshop exploring the world of proverbs.
Places are limited: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dyUyFYTxnJ.
#Proverbs #Shakespeare
Join us at Hull History Centre on Tues 25 August (12-5pm) a free talk + hands-on workshop exploring the world of proverbs.
Places are limited: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dyUyFYTxnJ.
#Proverbs #Shakespeare
Join us for the 'Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture' conference (University of Hull, 1-3 July) for exciting research on proverbs, proverbial culture, and early modern literature. Registration and other info available here: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
Conference
Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture An international and interdisciplinary conference July 1-3, 2026 University of Hull This conference explores the prevalence, fun…
earlymodernproverbs.co.uk
June 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Join us for the 'Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture' conference (University of Hull, 1-3 July) for exciting research on proverbs, proverbial culture, and early modern literature. Registration and other info available here: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
📣 Happening Today at 15:30!
SAA seminar From Commonplaces to Databases: The Social Memory of Proverbs – exploring how proverbs shape culture, memory & meaning in Shakespeare.
More info and attend virtually: shakespeareassociation.org/annual-meeti... #Shakespeare #SAA2026 #EarlyModernStudies
SAA seminar From Commonplaces to Databases: The Social Memory of Proverbs – exploring how proverbs shape culture, memory & meaning in Shakespeare.
More info and attend virtually: shakespeareassociation.org/annual-meeti... #Shakespeare #SAA2026 #EarlyModernStudies
Annual Meetings – Shakespeare Association of America
shakespeareassociation.org
April 2, 2026 at 1:29 PM
📣 Happening Today at 15:30!
SAA seminar From Commonplaces to Databases: The Social Memory of Proverbs – exploring how proverbs shape culture, memory & meaning in Shakespeare.
More info and attend virtually: shakespeareassociation.org/annual-meeti... #Shakespeare #SAA2026 #EarlyModernStudies
SAA seminar From Commonplaces to Databases: The Social Memory of Proverbs – exploring how proverbs shape culture, memory & meaning in Shakespeare.
More info and attend virtually: shakespeareassociation.org/annual-meeti... #Shakespeare #SAA2026 #EarlyModernStudies
Reminder that our CfP deadline is the end of the month! Email us at [email protected] with your abstract and join us in July at Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture.
Bursaries will be available for ECRs - more info to follow soon!
Bursaries will be available for ECRs - more info to follow soon!
“Many hands make light work” – and many papers make a great conference.
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
Conference
Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture An international and interdisciplinary conference July 1-3, 2026 University of Hull This conference explores the prevalence, fun…
earlymodernproverbs.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reminder that our CfP deadline is the end of the month! Email us at [email protected] with your abstract and join us in July at Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture.
Bursaries will be available for ECRs - more info to follow soon!
Bursaries will be available for ECRs - more info to follow soon!
“Many hands make light work” – and many papers make a great conference.
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
Conference
Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture An international and interdisciplinary conference July 1-3, 2026 University of Hull This conference explores the prevalence, fun…
earlymodernproverbs.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“Many hands make light work” – and many papers make a great conference.
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
CFP now open for Proverbs & Popular Wisdom in Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Hull, 1–3 July 2026.
Abstracts due 30 Jan → [email protected]
More info: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/confe...
'Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ” like the poor cat i’ th’ adage?'
This adage hasn't survived into modern usage (perhaps because Shakespeare didn't quote it in full?)
This adage hasn't survived into modern usage (perhaps because Shakespeare didn't quote it in full?)
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
'Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ” like the poor cat i’ th’ adage?'
This adage hasn't survived into modern usage (perhaps because Shakespeare didn't quote it in full?)
This adage hasn't survived into modern usage (perhaps because Shakespeare didn't quote it in full?)
Our second workshop, "Materials", is coming up soon at the University of Leeds. More information available here: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/works...
Materials
Workshop: Materials 10 November 2025, University of Leeds This workshop will be focussed on ‘materials’, exploring the places people recorded proverbs in the early modern period and how this shapes…
earlymodernproverbs.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Our second workshop, "Materials", is coming up soon at the University of Leeds. More information available here: earlymodernproverbs.co.uk/events/works...
"Tie it well and let it go" (Tilley T287).
Do your best, then release it. A fine proverb and terrible advice for posting online. 🎀💨📱
Do your best, then release it. A fine proverb and terrible advice for posting online. 🎀💨📱
October 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"Tie it well and let it go" (Tilley T287).
Do your best, then release it. A fine proverb and terrible advice for posting online. 🎀💨📱
Do your best, then release it. A fine proverb and terrible advice for posting online. 🎀💨📱
“When the devil is a hog you’ll eat bacon” (Tilley D306).
Translation: same day England wins Eurovision. 🐖🎤🥓
Translation: same day England wins Eurovision. 🐖🎤🥓
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 AM
“When the devil is a hog you’ll eat bacon” (Tilley D306).
Translation: same day England wins Eurovision. 🐖🎤🥓
Translation: same day England wins Eurovision. 🐖🎤🥓
"He claws it as Clayton clawed the pudding when he ate bag and all" (Tilley C407).
The modern version: “He bought Twitter.” 🍮👜🐦
The modern version: “He bought Twitter.” 🍮👜🐦
October 11, 2025 at 7:44 AM
"He claws it as Clayton clawed the pudding when he ate bag and all" (Tilley C407).
The modern version: “He bought Twitter.” 🍮👜🐦
The modern version: “He bought Twitter.” 🍮👜🐦
"When the fox sleeps nothing falls into his mouth" (Tilley F657). Even the sly need to hustle. No snacks for a snoozing fox.
October 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
"When the fox sleeps nothing falls into his mouth" (Tilley F657). Even the sly need to hustle. No snacks for a snoozing fox.
"When the frog has hair thou wilt be good" (Tilley F766). You’ll be good when frogs grow beards—i.e., never.
September 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"When the frog has hair thou wilt be good" (Tilley F766). You’ll be good when frogs grow beards—i.e., never.
“All women are good – either good for something or good for nothing” (Tilley W680).
A 17th-century zinger that shows its age—and its sexism. History, not advice.
A 17th-century zinger that shows its age—and its sexism. History, not advice.
September 28, 2025 at 7:43 AM
“All women are good – either good for something or good for nothing” (Tilley W680).
A 17th-century zinger that shows its age—and its sexism. History, not advice.
A 17th-century zinger that shows its age—and its sexism. History, not advice.
"A good meal, a bad meal, and a middling meal preserves a man in health" (Tilley M786).
Tudor wellness plan: feast, flop, average—repeat. Balance is the real superfood.
Tudor wellness plan: feast, flop, average—repeat. Balance is the real superfood.
September 27, 2025 at 7:44 AM
"A good meal, a bad meal, and a middling meal preserves a man in health" (Tilley M786).
Tudor wellness plan: feast, flop, average—repeat. Balance is the real superfood.
Tudor wellness plan: feast, flop, average—repeat. Balance is the real superfood.
"All things grow worse and worse" (T168).
Read the news lately? Some things never change.
Read the news lately? Some things never change.
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"All things grow worse and worse" (T168).
Read the news lately? Some things never change.
Read the news lately? Some things never change.
"A stitch in time saves nine" - from 1732, but the idea? Timeless. Why do some proverbs survive centuries while others vanish? What makes wisdom stick? #ProverbialWisdom #History
September 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"A stitch in time saves nine" - from 1732, but the idea? Timeless. Why do some proverbs survive centuries while others vanish? What makes wisdom stick? #ProverbialWisdom #History
"All that glisters is not gold" - Shakespeare borrowed this proverb for Merchant of Venice, perfect for awards season! Medieval wisdom about appearances vs reality, still relevant as we debate what makes "peak TV" actually good. #Emmys #Shakespeare #Proverbs
September 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
"All that glisters is not gold" - Shakespeare borrowed this proverb for Merchant of Venice, perfect for awards season! Medieval wisdom about appearances vs reality, still relevant as we debate what makes "peak TV" actually good. #Emmys #Shakespeare #Proverbs
“No good attorney will ever go to law.” ⚖️ (Tilley A393)
Tudor wisdom: the only people who enjoy lawsuits are the lawyers. Still true.
Tudor wisdom: the only people who enjoy lawsuits are the lawyers. Still true.
September 13, 2025 at 7:44 AM
“No good attorney will ever go to law.” ⚖️ (Tilley A393)
Tudor wisdom: the only people who enjoy lawsuits are the lawyers. Still true.
Tudor wisdom: the only people who enjoy lawsuits are the lawyers. Still true.
“The more the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.” (Tilley M1153)
The Tudors knew: small dinner, good conversation; big dinner, shouting match. Never realised I'd been passive aggressive when I said "the more the merrier" until now... #oops
The Tudors knew: small dinner, good conversation; big dinner, shouting match. Never realised I'd been passive aggressive when I said "the more the merrier" until now... #oops
September 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
“The more the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.” (Tilley M1153)
The Tudors knew: small dinner, good conversation; big dinner, shouting match. Never realised I'd been passive aggressive when I said "the more the merrier" until now... #oops
The Tudors knew: small dinner, good conversation; big dinner, shouting match. Never realised I'd been passive aggressive when I said "the more the merrier" until now... #oops
🐴 “Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me.” (Tilley A361)
Reliable donkey, or dramatic stallion?
Give me the one that gets me home alive.
Same goes for cars, jobs, software, and dating apps.
#TeamDonkey #StableWins
Reliable donkey, or dramatic stallion?
Give me the one that gets me home alive.
Same goes for cars, jobs, software, and dating apps.
#TeamDonkey #StableWins
September 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM
🐴 “Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me.” (Tilley A361)
Reliable donkey, or dramatic stallion?
Give me the one that gets me home alive.
Same goes for cars, jobs, software, and dating apps.
#TeamDonkey #StableWins
Reliable donkey, or dramatic stallion?
Give me the one that gets me home alive.
Same goes for cars, jobs, software, and dating apps.
#TeamDonkey #StableWins
“The physician is more dangerous than the disease.” ⚕️ (Tilley P267a)
Medieval doctors: leeches for a headache.
Us: side effects may include everything but relief.
#ReadTheLabel #ProverbialPrescription
Medieval doctors: leeches for a headache.
Us: side effects may include everything but relief.
#ReadTheLabel #ProverbialPrescription
September 6, 2025 at 7:44 AM
“The physician is more dangerous than the disease.” ⚕️ (Tilley P267a)
Medieval doctors: leeches for a headache.
Us: side effects may include everything but relief.
#ReadTheLabel #ProverbialPrescription
Medieval doctors: leeches for a headache.
Us: side effects may include everything but relief.
#ReadTheLabel #ProverbialPrescription
"Shunning the smoke he fell into the fire" (Tilley S570) - the eternal human tendency to overcorrect straight into worse problems. Avoiding one social media platform by joining three others. Medieval frying pan → fire dynamics still perfectly relevant. #OutOfTheFryingPan #EarlyModernOops
September 2, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"Shunning the smoke he fell into the fire" (Tilley S570) - the eternal human tendency to overcorrect straight into worse problems. Avoiding one social media platform by joining three others. Medieval frying pan → fire dynamics still perfectly relevant. #OutOfTheFryingPan #EarlyModernOops
"A dwarf on a giant's shoulder sees farther of the two" (Tilley D659) - Newton's "standing on shoulders of giants" but make it medieval and honest about the height dynamics. #Teamwork
August 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
"A dwarf on a giant's shoulder sees farther of the two" (Tilley D659) - Newton's "standing on shoulders of giants" but make it medieval and honest about the height dynamics. #Teamwork
“The way to be gone is not to stay here.” 🏃 (Tilley W151)
Sixteenth-century productivity hack: if you want to leave… actually leave.
Still relevant for meetings, bad parties, and doomscrolling.
#ExitStrategy #TimelessAdvice
Sixteenth-century productivity hack: if you want to leave… actually leave.
Still relevant for meetings, bad parties, and doomscrolling.
#ExitStrategy #TimelessAdvice
August 30, 2025 at 7:44 AM
“The way to be gone is not to stay here.” 🏃 (Tilley W151)
Sixteenth-century productivity hack: if you want to leave… actually leave.
Still relevant for meetings, bad parties, and doomscrolling.
#ExitStrategy #TimelessAdvice
Sixteenth-century productivity hack: if you want to leave… actually leave.
Still relevant for meetings, bad parties, and doomscrolling.
#ExitStrategy #TimelessAdvice
“You cannot take a trout with dry breeches.” (Tilley T538)
No risk, no reward: the Renaissance edition. If you want results, you’ll have to wade in—figuratively or otherwise. #WadersOn
No risk, no reward: the Renaissance edition. If you want results, you’ll have to wade in—figuratively or otherwise. #WadersOn
August 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
“You cannot take a trout with dry breeches.” (Tilley T538)
No risk, no reward: the Renaissance edition. If you want results, you’ll have to wade in—figuratively or otherwise. #WadersOn
No risk, no reward: the Renaissance edition. If you want results, you’ll have to wade in—figuratively or otherwise. #WadersOn