The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

YOU CAN'T MAKE BUTTER OUT OF COW SHIT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD EXPRESSION MEANING THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE
PROPER MATERIALS THAT YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. THE INFOR-
MANT SAID IT WHEN HE LOOKED AT WOOL DYED WITH MAGNOLIA LEAVES.
HE CONSIDERED THE COLOR UNATTRACTIVE. HE SAID HE'D HEARD THE
EXPRESSION ALL HIS LIFE AROUND LEBANON, TENNESSEE.

Where learned: LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Date learned: NOT GIVEN