em casa de ferreiro, o espeto é de pau

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau

Etymology

Literally: “In (the) blacksmith's house, the skewer is (made) of wood”. Compare Spanish en casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo (“in the blacksmith's house, wooden knife”).

Proverb

em casa de ferreiro, o espeto é de pau

1. the shoemaker's children go barefoot (one often neglects those closest to oneself)