False as a Tzigane, i.e., gypsy.
Dirty as a gypsy.
They live like gypsies (said of a quarrelsome couple).
He moans like a guilty Tzigane (said of a man given to useless lamenting).
He knows how to plow with the gypsies (said of a liar). Also: “He knows how to ride the gypsies’ horse.”
He knows the gypsy trade (i.e., he is a thief).
Tzigane weather (i.e., a showery day).
It is gypsy honey (i.e., adulterated).
A gypsy duck i.e., a poor sort of wild duck.
“The gypsy said his favourite bird would be the pig if it had only wings” (in allusion to the gypsy fondness for pork).
Mrs. Gerard gives a number of proverbs as current among Hungarian gypsies which appear to be borrowed by them from those of other races. Among them are:—
Who would steal potatoes must not forget the sack.
The best smith cannot make more than one ring at a time.
Nothing is so bad but it is good enough for somebody.
Bacon makes bold.
“He eats his faith as the gypsies ate their church.”
A Wallach proverb founded on another to the effect that the gypsy church was made of pork and the dogs ate it. I shall never forget how an old gypsy in Brighton laughed when I told her this, and how she repeated: “O Romani kangri sos kerdo bāllovas te i juckli hawde lis.”
“No entertainment without gypsies.”
In reference to gypsy musicians who are always on hand at every festivity.
The Hungarian wants only a glass of water and a gypsy fiddler to make him drunk.
In reference to the excitement which Hungarians experience in listening to gypsy music.
With a wet rag you can put to flight a whole village of gypsies (Hungarian).
It would not be advisable to attempt this with any gypsies in Great Britain, where they are almost, without exception, only too ready to fight with anybody.