Common Proverbs in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan people use short sayings that come from farm and prairie life. Most are in everyday English.

“Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.”

• It means the weather is extremely cold.

• People say it in January when the wind cuts through coats.

• It is a joke about how harsh the winter feels.

• No one takes it literally.

“Make hay while the sun shines.”

• It means do the work when the chance is there.

• Farmers use it when the weather is good for cutting grass.

• It also means act before the opportunity ends.

• The saying is old and still common.

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

• It means do not plan on something that has not happened yet.

• People say it when someone assumes a crop will be good or a deal will close.

• It warns against getting ahead of yourself.

• The idea is simple and practical.

“A watched pot never boils.”

• It means waiting and staring does not make things happen faster.

• Someone waiting for news or for supper to finish might hear it.

• It tells a person to step away and do something else.

• The pot still boils at its own speed.

“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”

• It means you cannot turn something plain into something fancy.

• People use it when a cheap repair or a rough plan will not look good.

• It accepts that some things stay as they are.

• The saying is blunt and useful.