ADVERTISEMENT

Regular readers of Bored Panda will no doubt be familiar with James Chapman, a designer based in Manchester, England who creates funny drawings based on the concept of language, especially popular sayings. Previously he showed us how kissing, snoring, and animals sound in different languages, and now he's brought us a collection of illustrated literal meaning translations of peculiar and often funny sayings from around the world.

From Kenya and Sweden to popular idioms in Ethiopia and Russia, Chapman shows us how different countries often interpret well-known proverbs (sleeping on a problem/judging a book by its cover/nothing last forever) while also introducing us to funny idioms that we might have never heard before. Like his work? Then head on over to Etsy where you can find a whole bunch of merchandise for sale.

More info: Etsy

#3

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The meaning probably needs to be altered: that misfortune befalls all, whether it be prince or pauper.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is interesting, though, how cause and action are reversed here. People do not slip on a ground, it is the ground that makes them slip...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
idil-sonmez avatar
Idil Sönmez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Turkish woman, I had to google the line to see the Turkish version cause I've never heard of it before.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
svetlanakornilova avatar
SK
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

proverb originally is more about adjusting to the society around you, doesn't mean only dangerous situations.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! An American comics character became part of an Asian proverb!? How so? Does it mean Batmam is THAT old and THAT iconic? I mean, Superman and Wonder Woman have entered the language through idioms, but this is the first time I see a superhero in a proverb. Proverbs are considered as old words of wisdom. Interesting. This makes me curious. ♥

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This also exists in other European coutnries. Unfortunately, clever digers might get away still...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
alex_blackmore avatar
Cheesybeansy
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

its all about perception im afraid. the older you get the more you realise you are missing the bigger picture, then the even bigger picture after that..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
alfaistheboss avatar
JEFF THE KILLER
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my family is always like oh your supposed to be loud and I'm in my room listening to music....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
brown_gurl5 avatar
HɒnɒЯose
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I am afraid you need to fall eight times first, in order for you to stand up the eighth time

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this is the electoral debate that I would like to have witnessed!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
lmarkuszewski avatar
Łukasz Markuszewski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's mean something different: some people just look for reasons to blame for their failures in the outside, never in the inside. The bad ballerina blames the hem of her skirt, not her poor dancing skills.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
heidiholmes avatar
heidi holmes
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Don't judge a book by it's cover" Is how the saying goes here in the USA

View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
jefbateman avatar
Jef Bateman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In English, a "feather in the cap" means accolades. Could this idiom actually mean, "Don't worry about receiving praise, just do the job and be happy with what you get"? That makes more sense to me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Croatia we also say "Who gets burnt once, blows even on cold", as when you blow on hot food prior to putting it in your mouth to cool it down first.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#32

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
alceli avatar
Alper
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A donkey with a golden saddle is still a donkey (Turkish)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
7864b576 avatar
Intensive Panda
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A similar russian proverb is:"you can't butter a bread with thank you"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the meaning is a little less positive than that.. along the lines of "for a mother her son is the most handsome n the best"

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#42

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Wer rastet, der rostet" in the original, which shows why it is hard to literally translate. It plays with "rasten" with an "o" instead of the "a" having a completely different meaning. In English "He who rests, rusts" sounds a bit odd.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
amoeba1230 avatar
Little Menace
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer: "IF my grandma had wheels she'd be an omnibus". This saying is quite well known in Germany and Italy and probably a lot of other places.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Do not use canons on sparrows" is the European version. :)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another one to exist in several languges. I am wondering how such proverbs have spread, or if they have been "invented" independently.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#52

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
sandra_bartsch avatar
Sandra Bartsch
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same proverb in German, saying that gras won't grow faster when you're pulling on it

View more commentsArrow down menu
#58

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
alex_blackmore avatar
Cheesybeansy
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Korean friend explained it like this to me; of a Koi carp trying to swim up a waterfall, and if he reached the top he would become a dragon. its about facing great adversity and if you were to beat it you would become more powerful than you imagined.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though I think a cat will appreciate food, food, and a belly rub more. In that order.

View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#62

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
pyjamka avatar
Доброцвета Илиева
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Proverbs could be really funny! The one I know in my language with the same meaning is: "Scabby donkeys smell each other"

#63

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
552d32996c85d avatar
Rebekah Pruett
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just don't forget to learn from your past or you'll spend your whole life repeating it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#67

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
amoeba1230 avatar
Little Menace
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with the meaning. I think it means that despite being small, it is a valid living thing just like everyone else.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#70

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#71

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
leonard_kharisma1 avatar
Nurul Bintoro
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a similar saying in my country "Prepare an umbrella before it rains" the meaning is similar like that

#72

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

#75

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
#78

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
jordanmckalewallace avatar
Storm Villago
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or you only understand things from the perspective you relate to

#80

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone aware of the origin? Why would it literally be reasonable to get a tiger's cub?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#81

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
tracey-tait-5 avatar
Tracey Tait
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was taught it meant if you misuse another to advance yourself, you look a a*s twice over.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#82

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More along the lines of, if u don't take care of ur things, they'll just be ruined. Not just homes! Lol

#83

Words Of Wisdom

James Chapman Report

Add photo comments
POST
pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's more along the lines of , if u need a specific tool, ask the person who makes such items..