The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (140 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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DREAM of a funeral and you hear of a marriage
An illustration of the principle of
DREAMS go by contraries
, the proverb is also found in the reverse form.
1639
Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina
236
After a dreame of weddings comes a corse [corpse].
1766
Vicar of Wakefield
x.
My wife had the most lucky dreams in the world … It was one night a coffin and cross-bones, the signs of an approaching wedding.
1883
Shropshire Folklore
xx.
We have the sayings .. ‘Dream of a funeral, hear of a wedding’ .. and vice versa.
1909
British Weekly
8 July 331
‘Dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage’ .. has probably been verified many times in the experience of ordinary people.
dreams
DREAMS go by contraries
c
1400
Beryn
(EETS) l. 108
Comynly of these swevenys [dreams] the contrary man shul fynde.
1584
Sappho & Phao
IV. iii.
I dreamed last night, but I hope dreams are contrary, that .. all my hair blazed on a bright flame.
1673
Gentleman Dancing-Master
IV. 64
Ne're fear it, dreams go by the contraries.
1731
Grub-Street Opera
I. xi.
Oh! the perjury of men! I find dreams do not always go by contraries.
1860
Season-Ticket
30
The events of life, like dreams, appear in the words of the old proverb, ‘to go by contraries’.
1932
Capital City Murder
iv.
There was no sign .. of Lester Armande. ‘Dreams go by contraries,’ said Lily.
1973
Stretchford Chronicles
(1980) 198
They say dreams go by opposites …Perhaps you'll dream about that AA man again.
dreams

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