ముసలికి ముచ్చట, లేడికి లేతగడ్డి.

musaliki muchchata, lediki letagaddi.

Translation

An old person's desire, a deer's love for tender grass.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe someone who has desires or whims that are inappropriate for their age or current situation. It highlight the irony when an elderly person indulges in youthful fancies or when someone demands things that do not suit their phase of life.

Related Phrases

When one slept for a quarter-rupee coin, a ghost ate away bushels of rice.

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to save a small amount of money or effort leads to a massive loss. It is used to mock people who are 'penny wise and pound foolish,' showing that neglect or cheapness can cause significant damage.

An old man is fond of a young widow

This proverb describes a situation where an elderly person becomes overly attached to or obsessed with someone or something unsuitable or inappropriate for their age. It is often used to criticize elderly men who pursue younger women, or more broadly, to point out the irony of developing new, intense cravings at a late stage in life when they should be focused on other matters.

Coming for daily wages but asking for a share in the property.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is hired for a small task or holds a subordinate position oversteps their boundaries and demands authority, ownership, or a share in the profits. It highlights the audacity of a person who forgets their actual status and expects more than what they are entitled to.

An old man's word is like a thornless path.

This proverb emphasizes that the advice given by experienced elders is safe, wise, and reliable. Following their guidance helps one avoid unnecessary difficulties or 'thorns' in life's journey, leading to a smoother and more successful path.

Three times the troubles in old age.

This expression refers to the immense hardships, health issues, and dependencies that often plague a person during their old age. It is used to describe a situation where one faces constant, overwhelming difficulties during the final stages of life.

Old age is the first sign of a second childhood (or first time puberty in old age)

This expression is used to mock or point out when an elderly person starts behaving like a youngster, or when someone does something completely inappropriate for their age. It literally suggests that an old person is acting as if they are hitting puberty or reaching maturity for the first time again.

Old age is a danger to the house, a crocodile is a danger to the river.

This proverb is used to describe situations where a specific entity becomes a source of trouble for its environment. Just as a crocodile makes a river dangerous, an elderly person who is neglected or becomes overly difficult (or the inevitable decay associated with age) can bring distress to a household. It is often used to highlight unavoidable or inherent problems within a system.

An old man is fond of women.

This proverb highlights how people's preferences or attachments change with age or vulnerability. It suggests that someone in a weak or advanced stage of life finds comfort or affection in things that others might overlook or find plain, often implying that simplicity or basic companionship becomes more valuable than vanity in one's later years.

* On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif. † Man kan nœde en Mand till at blunde, men ikke til at sove.

There is no such thing as an old buffalo or an old Yenadi (tribesman).

This proverb is used to describe individuals who maintain their strength, productivity, or work capacity regardless of their age. It implies that certain beings remain robust and useful until the very end, suggesting that age is just a number for those with a strong constitution or work ethic.

There is no relief for a task done without common sense.

This proverb highlights that if a task is performed without basic intelligence, skill, or common sense (Iguram), the resulting mess or failure will offer no peace of mind or solution. It is used to criticize someone for being tactless or foolish in their actions.