గుట్టం పేరు గోడ అయితే, గోడ పేరు గుర్రం గదా, ఇక నాకు ఉర్దూ అంతా తెలుసు అన్నాడట!

guttam peru goda ayite, goda peru gurram gada, ika naku urdu anta telusu annadata!

Translation

If the name of a peg is a wall, and the name of a wall is a horse, then I know all of Urdu!

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock someone who makes absurd, illogical connections and then claims to be an expert in a subject. It highlights the arrogance of people who believe they have mastered a complex skill or language based on completely wrong or superficial assumptions. It is often applied to someone who talks nonsense with great confidence.

Related Phrases

Those who can hide a secret are even a teacher to the teacher.

This expression emphasizes the immense value and power of discretion. It suggests that someone who can maintain a secret or keep their composure and hidden knowledge under control possesses a level of mastery and wisdom that surpasses even their mentors. It is used to praise someone's ability to be discreet and tight-lipped in critical situations.

If a horse is Gôḍa, then a saddle is Maduru—I don't want to be told more. Said by a Kômsṭi who was learning Hindustani from a Mussalman at so much per word. He mistook Ghoṛâ (Hind.) "a horse" for Gôḍa (Tel.) "a wall," and with the stinginess common to his caste said he did not want to be told what a saddle was as it must be Maduru "coping."

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to have profound knowledge or mastery over a subject after learning only a few superficial or irrelevant details. It highlights the ignorance of people who jump to conclusions based on a tiny, literal bit of information while missing the bigger picture.

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

When asked which way, saying Godavari.

This expression describes a situation where someone gives an irrelevant, nonsensical, or rhyming answer to a question instead of providing the actual information requested. It highlights a lack of connection between the question asked and the response given, often used when someone is being evasive or is completely lost in conversation.

The name is God's, but the mouth is one's own.

This proverb is used to describe a person who uses a noble cause, a deity's name, or a reputable person's authority as a cover to speak rudely, lie, or serve their own selfish interests. It highlights the hypocrisy of appearing religious or virtuous while having a foul or dishonest way of speaking.

He gives a name to an unborn child.

This expression is used to describe someone who makes elaborate plans or celebrates a result before it has actually happened. It refers to premature planning or counting your chickens before they hatch.

To celebrate the triumph before the victory. ( Latin. )† * Far conta dell' uovo non ancor nato, † Ante victoriam canere triumphum. 33

The family name is Asafoetida, the street name is Gingiva (humming sound).

This proverb is used to describe people who boast about their past glory or family legacy despite currently living in poverty or having lost all their wealth. Just as a container that once held asafoetida (hing) retains a faint smell even when empty, these people hold onto their status through words alone.

As he grew and grew, the elder brother-in-law became a Guttam donkey, they say.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite getting older or gaining more experience, becomes more foolish, stubborn, or useless instead of gaining wisdom. It highlights a situation where someone's growth is inversely proportional to their maturity or intelligence.

When one was drowning and another asked if he knew how to swim, he replied 'I know' even while sinking.

This expression is used to mock someone who is too proud to admit their failure or lack of knowledge even when they are in a desperate or losing situation. It highlights the foolishness of maintaining a false ego while facing total ruin.

Searching for a name for a baby who is not yet born.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes plans or arrangements for something that hasn't happened yet or is far from certain. It refers to being overly optimistic or premature in one's actions before the foundation is even laid.