Greeks have a lot of wacky and wonderful sayings and proverbs. To truly understand them all you would need to live in the land of the sun. Each Friday we’ll try to analyze three. If you’re interested in a proverb you’d like to have explained just leave a comment and we’ll include it in next Friday’s installment.

Όπου λαλούν πολλοί κοκόροι αργεί να ξημερώσει.

Literal translation: Dawn comes late when many roosters crow.

Meaning: When there are too many people making decisions with opposing viewpoints, then chances are that the job won’t get done on time.

How it can be used: At an office where there are many managers and not enough workers then everybody is too busy managing and nothing is getting done! In this case, you can say ” Όπου λαλούν πολλοί κοκόροι αργεί να ξημερώσει.”

Similar English saying: Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Με πορδές δεν βάφονται αυγά!

Literal translation: You can’t dye eggs with farts!

Meaning: The charming saying is mostly used in the Peloponnese and means that a lot of funding and organization are required in order to achieve something.

How it can be used in a hypothetical setting: Like a majority of cashstrapped Greek offices in the land of the economic crisis, there may stinginess at someone’s place of work. You may fret that everything is getting done with the minimum of funds and only band-aid solutions… Heck, they may even be asked to bring in their own laptop to work to save the company some money. Your boss says, “We want production to double so as to compete with the best in the business!”

If he’s not willing to pay for this though, you can say ” Με πορδές δεν βάφονται αυγά!” (Don’t blame us if you get in trouble for it though!)

Similar English saying: A combination you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs + pay peanuts, get monkeys.

Φύλαγε τα ρούχα σου, να ‘χεις τα μισά.

Literal translation: Hold on to your clothes so that you can have half.

Literal meaning: It is better to be careful and think ahead so as to prevent losses due to unforeseen circumstances.

How it can be used: A friend wants to borrow your expensive new car, but your mother knows that your friend is a reckless driver. In this case, your mother may advise you by saying: “No, don’t let your friend borrow your car. “Φύλαγε τα ρούχα σου, να ‘χεις τα μισά.”

Similar English saying: Prevention is better than cure.

Have you heard any wacky and wonderful Greek sayings that you would like us to explain to you? Just comment below and we’ll include these in our next installment of “It’s all Greek to me” on Friday, January 30.