The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (545 page)
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Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
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You can't TEACH an old dog new tricks
1530Husbandry
(ed. 2) G1
V
The dogge must lerne it when he is a whelpe, or els it wyl not be; for it is harde to make an olde dogge to stoupe.
1636
Remains concerning Britain
(ed. 5)300
It is hard to teach an old dog trickes.
1672
English & Latin Proverbs
46
An old dog will learn no new tricks.
1806
Letter
15 Feb.(1834)14
There is an old proverb,‘You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.’
1987
Little Death Music
V
.
He's listening to records with Vance. Downright rude, if you ask me, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
habit;
innovation
;
old age
Don't TEACH your grandmother to suck eggs
A caution against offering advice to the wise and experienced. The metaphorical phrase
to teach one's grandmother (to suck eggs
) is also found.
1707
tr.
Quevedo's Comical Works
IV
. 403
You would have me teach my Grandame to suck Eggs.
1738
Polite Conversation
I. 57
‘I'll mend it, Miss.’ .. ‘You mend it! go, Teach your Grannam to suck Eggs.’
1882
Christowell
II. iii.
A .. twinkle, which might have been interpreted—‘instruct your grandfather in the suction of gallinaceous products.’
1967
English Proverbs Explained
48
Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
1983
Anodyne Necklace
i.
Rota. I'm well aware there's a rota. You trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs, Jury?
advice
to teach one's grandmother (to suck eggs
) is also found.
1707tr.
Quevedo's Comical Works
IV
. 403
You would have me teach my Grandame to suck Eggs.
1738
Polite Conversation
I. 57
‘I'll mend it, Miss.’ .. ‘You mend it! go, Teach your Grannam to suck Eggs.’
1882
Christowell
II. iii.
A .. twinkle, which might have been interpreted—‘instruct your grandfather in the suction of gallinaceous products.’
1967
English Proverbs Explained
48
Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
1983
Anodyne Necklace
i.
Rota. I'm well aware there's a rota. You trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs, Jury?
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