clogs to clogs in three generations
English
Etymology
Circa 1700, perhaps of Lancashire origin,[1] due to clogs being stereotypical clothes of peasants. Compare shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.
Proverb
clogs to clogs in three generations
- (Britain) Wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts through the third (grandchild’s) generation.
Synonyms
- shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations
- (Chinese) wealth does not survive three generations
- (Japanese) the third generation ruins the house
- (Italian) from stables to stars to stables
- (Australian)from goon to Grange to goon
- (Britain) sandals to sandals in three generations
Translations
wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts
References
- The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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