ఏమి పోలిశెట్టీ అంటే, యెప్పటి మొత్తుకోళ్లే అన్నాడట

emi polishetti ante, yeppati mottukolle annadata

Translation

When Pôlisetti was asked how he was getting on, he replied "I am in trouble as usual."

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronic complainers or situations where, no matter when you check in, the problems and grievances remain exactly the same as before.

Related Phrases

Like beating one's mouth (lamentation) with a maimed hand. Doing any thing clumsily.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply frustrated or grieving but is unable to effectively express their pain or do anything about it. It signifies a state of utter helplessness where even one's attempts to lament are ineffective or incomplete due to a lack of resources or capability.

When crowbars themselves are being blown away by the wind, a leaf plate asked 'What will happen to me?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are suffering or failing, making the concerns of the weak or insignificant seem obvious yet trivial. It highlights a scale of disaster where if the indestructible is perishing, the fragile has no hope.

When one said " O Pôla! is it not work without pay ?" he replied " Alas! Sir, there is no way to get out of it." Said of any disagreeable duty, which must be performed without remuneration. To have nothing but one's labour for one's pains. Like the tailor who sewed for nothing and found thread himself. Better sit idle than work for nought.

This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to do a difficult or unrewarding task against their will. It highlights the helplessness of an individual who must comply with an order even when they are miserable doing it. It is used to mock or point out a situation where work is done out of pure obligation without any joy or benefit.

When asked 'How are things, Polisetti?', he replied 'The same old lamentations'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronically pessimistic or situations where problems persist indefinitely without any improvement, much like someone who always responds with complaints regardless of when they are asked.

"Hollow! grass-eating Kômati," said [ a Mussulman ], "Well! molasses-eating Śāhib," replied [ the shopkeeper ]: "How is it you speak in this way?" asked [ a bystander ], "He is accustomed to that and I to this," said [ the Kômati.] i. e. He meant to say that the Mussulman was accustomed to grass and he to molasses.

This proverb highlights that one's speech and behavior reflect their own character rather than the character of the person they are addressing. It suggests that even if someone insults you with low-class language, you should maintain your dignity and respond with courtesy, as your words define who you are.

"What is it that makes you limp, Reddi?" asked one. "My old leg is the same as ever," he replied. Habit.

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide their current weakness, failure, or physical decline by pretending it is their normal state or a long-standing habit. It mocks those who are too proud to admit they have changed for the worse or are struggling, choosing instead to offer silly excuses to maintain their ego.

One said to a wife "O Pôli, Pôli, how long will you enjoy yourself?" "Till my mother-in-law comes back from the Pariah quarter" she replied. When the cat's away the mice play.

This proverb describes a situation where someone enjoys temporary authority, luxury, or freedom only because the person who actually holds the power is away. It is used to mock people who act important or bossy during a brief period of unsupervised time, knowing well that their 'reign' will end the moment their superior returns.

When asked 'O stubborn woman, what did your husband do?', she replied 'He hit me here and there, and then he died'.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely stubborn or difficult person who refuses to yield even when facing consequences. It implies that the person is so relentless that they ended up being the 'winner' only because the other person exhausted themselves or passed away trying to deal with them. It highlights a toxic level of persistence where the individual finds victory in others' defeat or departure.

Lifting the burden and then beating one's chest in grief.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily takes on a responsibility or burden and then complains or laments about the difficulty and stress it causes. It highlights the irony of self-inflicted hardship.

When told 'May you live for a hundred years', she replied 'One is enough'.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely cynical, pessimistic, or lacks the will to live/enjoy life. It highlights a situation where someone rejects a great blessing or a positive wish with a sarcastic or hopeless remark, essentially 'killing the vibe' or showing extreme dissatisfaction.