The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERB

WENN DER VOGEL FRISST, SINGT ER NICHT.
IF THE BIRD EATS, HE CANNOT SING. (TRANS).

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER AND FATHER USED TO SAY
THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN TO ENCOURAGE SILENCE
AT THE DINNER TABLE AS WELL AS BETTER EATING.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

James Callow Keyword(s): CONVERSATION TABU ; FUNCTION ; TALKING TABU

Date learned: 11-24-1967