Popular sayings about the olive and olive oil
Popular sayings about olives and olive oil
”Laderes kouventes thelo…” (I want oily discussions)= Let’s discuss seriously
Cretan proverb
Common proverbs involving oil show, in the best possible way, how deep the roots of this blessed tree run in the Greek language and the everyday expressions used by Greeks today.
”Mou evgalan to ladi” (They took the oil out of me).
they gave me a very hard time
Olive oil is extracted (pressed) from the olive to the point when it breaks into many small pieces.
Min rihnis ladi sti fotia”.(Don’t pour oil on the fire)
Don’t push things to their limits
When we pour oil on fire, the fire flares – the ancient Greeks used olive oil in their oil lamps to light up their houses – that is how we use this expression when we wish to show that, while things are not as we want them to be, we may worsen them when handled wrongly.
”Ekane ladia”=he made an oil stain.
he did something stupid
When a drop of oil falls on cloth, it immediately spoils its appearance and penetrates the fibres of the cloth. It is also difficult to remove and often leaves a permanent stain. This is how the people use this expression to show that in an everyday situation, someone made a mistake leave a mark.
”I thalassa ine ladi”(The sea is like oil).
The sea is calm
Oil is a liquid form that tends to absorb undulations easily and to maintain a perfect smooth surface. Thus, in a country that is surrounded by sea, it is logical that this blessed liquid is frequently used in the expressions of sailors who, when referring to a completely calm sea, they often compare it to oil. “apopse in ladia” (tonight its like oil) is what fishermen use to describe a quiet night. “ihe mia thalassa ladi” (the sea was like oil) is what swimmers say and more
”Aftos hani ladia” (he’s leaking oil).
He’s talking nonsense
Oil is also used so that many machines function properly without causing damage. Therefore, when this valuable oil, which helps the metal parts come in contact with each other without wearing out, is wasted, the machinery is damaged and the device does not function properly. In the same manner, metaphorically, our brain “leaks oil” and doesn’t function properly, making us talk nonsense.
”To ladi tou teliose”(he ran out of oil).
He died
According to the tradition of our people, there is a profound belief that there is a light (a metaphorical oil lamp) in every human being, which is alight whilst he is alive; but when the oil sustaining the light runs out, then fire goes out as the person dies. This is perhaps why people light a vigil candle or oil lamp which is then carefully kept alight. People check the oil regularly and renew it as necessary to show that they are keeping the memory of the deceased alive. This is a very old custom.
”Ton ladose”(He was oiled).
He was bribed
Typical term which metaphorically says that, with the help of money or of a gift, someone has influenced the opinion or the decision of someone else. This expression is often used to show that with the help of money, someone can set a “rusty” government organization in motion, a metaphorical “oiling the works” to get the “rusty” (as commonly said) machine working.
”Aftos vgike ladi”(He came out of it like oil).
He came out clean
He was threatened (usually from an accusation) and got away with it. When mixing oil with water, the oil rises up to the surface (it doesn’t sink, it does not mix). In the same manner, if someone is accused of something and gets away with it, people usually metaphorically say that “he came out of it like oil”.
”Na se kano ladia-xydia”(I will make you oil-vinegar).
I will carry you on my shoulders (playfully)
This phrase is usually used when playing with small children. In the old days, people used to carry oil and vinegar in skins on their backs, which they would keep there with their hands at the height of their shoulders, holding the skin from its handle or spout. In the same manner, they would carry small children playfully across small distances, playing “ladia-xydia, to kopeli na to pao opou theli” (oil-vinegar, I’ll take the child where it wants.
”Na ladosi ligo to anteraki mou”(to oil my intestine a little).
To eat good food
In the old days, good food was food cooked with olive oil. Oil was used in most cooked foods for which Mediterranean cuisine is famous. So, if someone ate good food, he would usually use the phrase “Ladose to antero mou” (it oiled my intestine).
”Aftos ine san to ladopontiko”(he’s like an oily mouse).
He’s disheveled
In the old days, wooden lids were used to cover large clay jars (generally a wooden lid for reasons of convenience so that quick access was ensured and time wasn’t wasted upon replenishment). However, the mice would eat away at the lids and fall into the oil. When they got out – either by themselves or when people pulled them out (having eaten the oil) the funny image of the mouse soaked in oil would be what a disheveled person was compared to.
Opoios ehei yio ehei krasi kai opoios ehei kori ladi.
A daughter requires expenses for her marriage, while the son requires…only wine for the wedding.
Opios ehei stari kai krasi kai ladi sto pithari,
ehei to kosmou ta kala kai tou Theou ti hari. For he who has corn and wine and oil in the jar,
the world is good and he has God's blessing.
ehei to kosmou ta kala kai tou Theou ti hari. For he who has corn and wine and oil in the jar,
the world is good and he has God's blessing.
Defterogouli t’Ai Lia bainei to ladi sthn elia. The second half of the month of July (when the Prophet Elias is celebrated) is when the olive will create most of its oil, due to the weather.
Ladi pou vgainei me nero, na mhn syllogasai. Don't collect oil that’s watered down.
Efae I faki to ladi ki ekatapie do kai paei. (The lentils ate the oil, and swallowed it down.)
An issue that has been settled for good
Ambeli apo dikou sou kai elies apo to kyrou sou. A vineyard of your own and olives from your master.
Vineyards grow quickly and bear fruits, but for someone to earn an income from olives, he has to obtain an inheritance from his parents
Xefortose thn elia va se fortosei ladi.
If you prune the olive tree it will give you more oil
that year the olive trees were blessed with
fertile fruit
so that the king crowed with delight:
oil brimmed his brain,
oil presses ground within him,
oil jars rose in heaps,
crude oil poured tumbling in huge vats while
oil soup steamed,
and deep jars, smeared with oil, shone glittering
in long rows
Nikos Kazantzakis, “Odyssey” D’ 187-191