The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH PROVERB

STAROSC NIE RADOSC,
MEANING,
OLD AGE IS NOT JOYFUL.

Submitter comment: STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS PROVERB FROM HER MOTHER, JULIA
WASIELEWSKI. THIS PROVERB IS USUALLY SAID IN AN OFF HAND WAY.
WHEN THE PERSON MAKES A GOOF THAT MAY RELATE TO SOMETHING AN
OLD PERSON MIGHT DO. (EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE TRIES TO GET UP FROM
A CHAIR, BUT FALLS BACK, HE WOULD THEN SAY THIS PROVERB. IT IS
USUALLY MEANT TO EXPRESS A WAY OF LAUGHING AT YOURSELF. THE
GESTURE WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS PROVERB IS A PALM WAVED
DOWNWARD GESTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-02-1977