There are certain popular sayings which contain a comparison, and which, although in a strict sense they cannot be called proverbs, may yet be classed with them. Some of these contain words which have become obsolete, or, at least, antiquated. “Vier (vieux) comme suée” equivalent to “As old as the hills,” may be quoted as an example, for not only is the word “suée” obsolete, but its very meaning is forgotten and unknown. Mr. George Métivier, a learned philologist, author of the Dictionnaire Franco-Normand, ou Recueil des Mots particuliers au Dialecte de Guernesey, is inclined to refer it to the old French suée signifying sueur, sweat, used in the sense of labour. The conjecture is ingenious, but not quite satisfactory.
I’ s’est maniaï (manié) coume un albroche.—He has conducted himself like a boor. Roquefort in his “Glossaire de la Langue Romane” explains the word Allobroge as “un homme grossier, un rustre, etc.,” and gives Adlobrius, Allobrox, as the Latin forms. According to Ducange, these words signify a citizen or native of Gaul. The Allobroges, however, in the time of the Roman Empire, were the tribes inhabiting Savoy and Piedmont.
I’ bét (boit) coume ùn alputre.—Is used in the sense of “He drinks like a fish,” but why the alputre,—rockling, or sea-loach,—should be singled out among fishes for bibulous propensities, it is impossible to guess.
I’ plleut coume cis (chez) Pierre de Garis.—Is used in the sense of “raining cats and dogs.” A certain Pierre de Garis, a merchant of Bayonne, in the time when Aquitaine was governed by English Princes, was appointed to the responsible office of Bailiff of Guernsey, about the year 1325.[257] In all probability he derived his name from a small town called Garis, about half-way between Bayonne and St. Jean-de-Luz. He became the founder of a family of importance, not only in Guernsey, but also in the neighbouring island of Jersey, and of which there are still numerous descendants. It is not very likely that the saying dates so far back as the fourteenth century, although it has no doubt a very respectable antiquity. We can only conjecture that it must have derived its origin from some well-known Pierre de Garis of indolent or miserly habits, who allowed the roof of his dwelling to fall into decay and let in the rain, and so became a by-word with his neighbours.
Ill’ y en a assaï (assez) pour tous les Tostevins.—There is enough for all the Tostevins—is said when there is an abundance of anything—enough and to spare. The name is extremely common in the western parishes of Guernsey, especially in St. Pierre-du-Bois and Torteval, where many of those who bear it are stone-masons who walk every day into town—a distance of five or six miles—to their work. Perhaps the good appetite they acquire in so long a walk may have had something to do in originating the saying.
Jaune coume q’zette.—As yellow as a daffodil, is equivalent to the English saying “As yellow as crow’s foot.” It is sometimes varied to “jaune coume du murlu,” this last word being the local name of the corn-marigold and the ox-eye daisy.
Vert coume ache.—As green as smallage—a herb closely allied to celery and parsley, and, like them, intensely green—is used where we should say in English “As green as grass.”
Chièr (cher) coume paivre (poivre).—As dear as pepper, is a comparison which must have originated when this useful condiment, now within the reach of the poorest, was a luxury brought from far and obtainable only by the rich. Quit-rents payable in pepper were not unknown in the middle-ages; and in the Extente, or account of the revenues and obligations of the Crown in Guernsey, drawn up in the fifth year of the reign of King Edward III., A.D. 1331, there is an item of a quarter of a pound of pepper to be paid annually at Michaelmas, by a tenant of lands situated in the parish of St. Martin’s. The money payment for which this rent was commuted at that time was twelve deniers tournois, which would make the value of a pound four sols tournois, no inconsiderable sum in those days.
I’ chànte coume ùn orateur.—He sings like an orator. A loud voice is certainly desirable in one who attempts to speak in public. Our countrymen seem to consider it equally necessary and admirable in a singer.
Orguillaeux (orgueilleux) coume ùn pouâis (pou) sûs v’louss (velours).—As proud as that insect which Shakespeare calls “a familiar beast to man” may be supposed to feel when it finds itself on velvet.