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Did your mother used to say……..

(142 Posts)
Astitchintime Mon 19-Jan-26 16:33:01

I was getting dressed this morning and when I was putting on my vest - well more of a camisole I guess - I got to thinking about my dear mum. I could hear her wise words……’tuck your vest in your knickers, it will keep your back warm’.

Does anyone recall any wise words from their own mum?

win Tue 20-Jan-26 17:16:21

never put shoes on the table
Don't say thank you if someone picks up the glove you dropped.
Don't sit on the cold doorstep as you will have an infection and not be able to have children
Never give an empty wallet or purse as a present, put a coin in it for luck.
Black cat across the road BAD luck
Tell a lie and you get a long nose
She would tell me she could see my nose grow and I would instantly touch it so she knew I was lying.
Babies are delivered by the stork
She drew me in the vending machine standing on the corner of the next road.
Eat your spinach and you will be strong like Popeye

win Tue 20-Jan-26 17:10:44

Sadgrandma

The day before my wedding my Mum told me “if you don’t both reach an orgasm at the same time you won’t get pregnant”! She had three children, nine years between the first two and twelve years between the second and third!!

You poor mum if she really believed that!!

Astitchintime Tue 20-Jan-26 17:02:22

Wow! This thread has turned out to be so entertaining! I do recall some of the sayings, some are new and some a version in a similar vein.
I also had to wear a vest until the end of May. 😂 but apparently I was a sickly child.

lixy Tue 20-Jan-26 16:58:37

Many of the above, especially the advice about not going out with wet hair. No chance - I was a keen daily swimmer and usually in a hurry.

If we didn’t like something she had cooked then we were told to think of the children in Biafra.

Warbler Tue 20-Jan-26 16:55:58

You can only make a first impression once.
Don't do as I do.....do as I say.
I'm telling your Father when he comes home.
Put the kettle on would you Pet.

Allira Tue 20-Jan-26 16:42:14

yogitree

Many of the above, although not from my mother. She said?

Don't wear a green coat, you'll be run over.
Never put new shoes on a table.
If you don't eat that up we'll send it to Africa.
You will get ill if you go out after washing your hair.
Don't stand on cracked pavements.

Papa said, eating carrots will let you see in the dark.

Yes, I was a confused child!

I too loved the bubblegum photo. "Don't swallow bubblegum you will grow a pilates ball out your bahooky!"

Papa said, eating carrots will let you see in the dark.
Full of beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyesight!

Papa was right 😀

(Other vegetables are good too,)

yogitree Tue 20-Jan-26 16:32:09

Many of the above, although not from my mother. She said?

Don't wear a green coat, you'll be run over.
Never put new shoes on a table.
If you don't eat that up we'll send it to Africa.
You will get ill if you go out after washing your hair.
Don't stand on cracked pavements.

Papa said, eating carrots will let you see in the dark.

Yes, I was a confused child!

I too loved the bubblegum photo. "Don't swallow bubblegum you will grow a pilates ball out your bahooky!"

grandmac Tue 20-Jan-26 16:28:38

“There but for the grace of God go I” was one my Mum said often about anybody worse off than ourselves. I say it still to my children and grandchildren but now it’s shortened to “there but…”. They know what I mean.

She also said most of the above too!

KatrinaMarina Tue 20-Jan-26 16:19:47

Always had to wear a vest until the end of May even if it was hot. Never cast a clout till Mays out.
A plain looking couple-they’re not spoiling two houses. Still don’t really get that one 🤔
Something that was commonly known/owned-The dogs are barking it 😀.
If people were talking about something you had done-It’s a 9 day rumour.

Many many more that escape me now but I say to my children/grandchildren

loopyloo Tue 20-Jan-26 16:17:14

Mine used to say "it'll do a turn" with regards to clothes, so I hate throwing anything away.

henetha Tue 20-Jan-26 16:12:55

My mum frequently told me to dry my armpits properly or I would get tuberculosis.

AGAA4 Tue 20-Jan-26 16:10:28

It'll be finished by next blue moon. For someone who started a job but left it.
You'll be waiting till the cows come home. Similar to above.
Don't wear unaired clothes. You'll get pneumonia.
Fine words butter no parsnips.

Guesswhat Tue 20-Jan-26 16:10:27

Another thing my mother and father would say was “It’s not WHAT you know. It’s WHO you know.” in relation to someone wanting a job or to get on in life.
Cynical? Maybe. Or were they being realistic? hmm

pably15 Tue 20-Jan-26 16:08:00

clean meat never fattened a pig...

Guesswhat Tue 20-Jan-26 16:05:06

If my mother thought she’d been relaxing too long, she’d say ,“Well this won’t buy the baby a new dress!”. Or, “Well this won’t iron the baby’s bonnet!”. Then she’d get back to her chores.

Grannynannywanny Tue 20-Jan-26 16:04:26

My old auntie used to say to describe a person she thought very cunning they’d build a nest in your ear and come back and steal the eggs and you wouldn’t even notice

Grantanow Tue 20-Jan-26 16:01:44

Don't volunteer for anything.

Oldnproud Tue 20-Jan-26 16:01:26

I would be warned "Don't wish your life away" whenever I said anything along the lines of "I can't wait the holidays/my birthday/ Christmas etc.

JdotJ Tue 20-Jan-26 15:58:36

Dont go outside with wet hair, you'll catch a nasty chill

Rosamunde Tue 20-Jan-26 15:32:47

My mum used to say: “Want a letter? Write a letter!” In other words, don’t complain if someone isn’t contacting you, take the initiative and contact them yourself. I’ve always followed that advice and so managed to stay in contact with everyone who was important to me. It’s just about recognising that some people are not good at this, but will gladly respond when prompted.

AuntieE Tue 20-Jan-26 15:01:19

pennyg

"You know what thought did"
(thought apparently swallowed something, but I can't remember what it was!)

"Laugh and the World laughs with you, cry and you cry alone"

Thought followed a muck cart and thought it was a wedding - at least in the Glasgow area. He also planted a feather and thought it would grow a hen.

I cannot believe that no one of your mothers when telling you to wear clean pants in case you were rushed into hospital, did not also include clean vest and handkerchief amongst the things you were to remember. My mother was convinced that the nurses would notice if our necks and ears were not clean.

SpanielCuddler Tue 20-Jan-26 14:55:12

@ Pennyg
“You know what thought did” a familiar one from my childhood.
“ You know what thought did? Followed a muck cart n thought it were a wedding! “
(Lancashire)
Remember lots of these sayings.
If someone was ill or had lots of health problems my Mum would have said
“ He wants rubbin’ out and drawing afresh!”
The OP talking about vests reminded me of visiting an old auntie straight from school. She peered down my shirt and said “ where’s yer vest you’ll catch yer death o’ cold!” I was 13!
Love the chewing gum photo v funny.

Mollygo Tue 20-Jan-26 14:55:05

Etoile2701

Eating fish will make you clever.

Mum craved sardines when she was expecting me. I’ll keep that in mind.

Milest0ne Tue 20-Jan-26 14:35:11

Grandmother used to put a plate of bread and (butter?) on the table first and say "fill up with bread and butter". Having filled up with it I was punished for not eating my meal as I was too full. I was told "Think of all the starving children in Africa" I never was allowed to question why they didn't put the bread out last or send either the b&b or my meal to the starving children. I would have been happy to donate either. confused

Hiraeth Tue 20-Jan-26 14:34:45

Grannynannywanny, That is so funny . I.m here on my own laughing my head off 🤣