The Sayings That Raised Us

How Many of These Do You Remember?

This morning I remembered another saying from my childhood:

“Suck it up, buttercup!”

That one little phrase sent me down a rabbit hole of memories. Before long, I was remembering dozens of sayings my parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, and coaches used all the time.

Some were words of wisdom.

Some were warnings.

Some made absolutely no sense. But somehow…we all knew exactly what they meant.

It made me wonder how many of these sayings are slowly disappearing.

Here are a few that came back to me.

• Suck it up, buttercup.
• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
• Money doesn’t grow on trees.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
• Were you raised in a barn?
• Because I said so.
• If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?
• A stitch in time saves nine.
• Mind your Ps and Qs.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
• Don’t cry over spilled milk.
• Look before you leap.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• Actions speak louder than words.
• The early bird gets the worm.
• Better safe than sorry.
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
• Don’t judge a book by its cover.
• Let sleeping dogs lie.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Hit the hay.
• Put a sock in it.
• Chew the fat.
• Spill the beans.
• Don’t take any wooden nickels.
• Bee’s knees.
• Whole nine yards.
• Mad as a hatter.
• Paint the town red.
• Burning the midnight oil.
• See you soon, big baboon!”
• Later, gator!
• After while, crocodile!
• In an hour, sunflower!
• Take care, polar bear!
• Out the door, dinosaur!

Some of these taught responsibility. Some taught common sense. Some were simply colorful ways to get a point across.

Looking back, they were tiny life lessons wrapped up in memorable phrases. And let’s be honest…

A few of them probably confused us as kids!

One thing is for sure—they’ve stuck with us for decades.

Now comes the fun part.

Which sayings did I miss?

I’m betting every one of us grew up hearing something different depending on where we lived and who raised us.

And for all of you AI image creators…How would you illustrate one of these sayings?

this could be a cool kre8or challenge even.

I’m picturing chickens doing math before they hatch, money literally growing on trees, and a giant buttercup giving someone a pep talk. 😂

I can’t wait to see what everyone remembers—and especially what kind of images these old sayings inspire.

Have fun with this one!

Note. There’s a challenge for you Michael.

-Shirley

So Here are more from the comments below

• Get a life
• You screwed it up dealt with it
• Don't put the horse before the cart
• Straight from the horses mouth
• A stich in time saves nine
• An aussie saying she'll be apples
• Don't get your knicker in a twist
• Mad as a hatter
• Hold your horses
• Well I'm be a Monkey's Uncle