చీర పిట్టకు దొమ్మ తెగులు

chira pittaku domma tegulu

Translation

A white louse with the staggers.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person of very low status, importance, or capability puts on airs or suffers from problems usually associated with those of higher status. It highlights the irony of someone insignificant having an exaggerated or unlikely issue.

Notes

The Hindus' cure for the staggers is branding the flanks and legs with a ploughshare. Applied to measures quite out of proportion to the necessities of the case.

Related Phrases

Like the cat settling the dispute between two birds. By eating them both up ( See Telugu Panchatantra, page 94. )

This proverb describes a situation where a third party takes advantage of a conflict between two people. Instead of resolving the issue fairly, the mediator benefits themselves at the expense of both disputing parties, much like a cat eating the birds it was supposed to mediate for.

Answering back is a disease to speech, just as moss is a disease to water.

This proverb suggests that arguing or talking back incessantly ruins the quality of a conversation, much like how moss pollutes and spoils a body of water. It is used to advise against unnecessary arguments or being argumentative for the sake of it.

When black matures, it becomes white.

This expression is used to describe the aging process, specifically referring to how black hair eventually turns white as one gets older. It highlights the inevitability of aging and the transition into the senior stages of life.

Even Brahma is subject to the disease of desire/obsession.

This expression means that no one is immune to mistakes, obsessions, or the flaws of nature, regardless of their status or wisdom. 'Rimma Tegulu' refers to a persistent madness or an uncontrollable urge. It is used to suggest that even the most powerful or enlightened beings can succumb to certain weaknesses or complications.

Brahma himself becomes enamoured.

This expression is used to convey that nobody is perfect or immune to troubles, not even the most powerful or knowledgeable beings. It highlights that everyone, regardless of their status or wisdom, has their own weaknesses, flaws, or moments of confusion.

The cotton cleaner suffers from a respiratory ailment.

This proverb describes an occupational hazard or a situation where a person is affected by the very tools or materials they work with every day. It is used to point out that one often faces problems inherent to their own profession or lifestyle.

Caste is a plague to its own caste, just as moss is a plague to water.

This proverb highlights internal conflicts and self-destruction within a community. It means that the biggest threat or decay to a group usually comes from its own members, much like how moss originates from and eventually covers the water it grows in. It is used to describe situations where people harm their own kind.

Word upon word spoils speech as weeds spoil water.

This proverb highlights that constant arguing or talking back ruins the quality of a conversation, just as algae/moss spoils the purity of water. It suggests that excessive talkativeness or being argumentative is a negative trait that hinders meaningful communication.

Moss is a disease for water; vanity is a disease for a woman.

This proverb suggests that just as moss spoils the purity and clarity of water, an obsession with makeup, vanity, or external appearance can ruin the character or integrity of a person. It is used to caution against excessive materialism or preoccupation with looks.

Among all the fits, the fainting fit is the strongest.

This proverb is used to describe something that stands out as the most prominent, intense, or severe among a group of similar things. It literally refers to 'Mididomma' (a type of severe fit or epilepsy) being the most dominant among various physical ailments or fits.