clogs to clogs in three generations

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From the common use of clogs by manual workers in north England and following the style of similar phrases which have been attested since 1700.[1] The particular phrasing is perhaps of Lancashire origin.[1] Compare shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

Proverb[edit]

clogs to clogs in three generations

  1. (UK) Wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts through the third (grandchild's) generation.

Synonyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 John Simpson, Jennifer Speake, editors (2008), “From CLOGS to clogs is only three generations”, in The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs[1], fifth paperback edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press