Don’t Toss Granny in the Begonias

Continuing the popular series of proverbs from around the world, each paired with an English equivalent, Don’t Toss Granny in the Begonias sheds an amusing and often intriguing light on the rivalry between the French and the English: an odd couple who, from time immemorial, like to dislike – or is it dislike liking? – each other. How curious that the French say, ‘Filer à l’anglaise’, while the English insist on taking French leave.

Fortunately, old enemies make the best friends, and Don’t Toss Granny in the Begonias highlights the many similarities between the cultures. Witness ‘Porter l’eau à la rivière’ and ‘To carry coals to Newcastle’, or ‘Quand le chat n’est pas là, les souris dansent’ – dancing mice as opposed to their English rat counterparts, who play in the cat’s absence.