ఒళ్ళు బలసిన గంగానమ్మ పేడ కుడుము లడిగిందట
ollu balasina ganganamma peda kudumu ladigindata
Ganganamma, whose body had grown stout, supposedly asked for cow-dung cakes.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has become arrogant or eccentric due to newfound wealth or excess comfort. It refers to someone who starts acting strangely or makes absurd, lowly demands simply because they no longer have any real problems to worry about.
Related Phrases
కుట్టినమ్మ కుదుట్లో ఉంటే, కూసినమ్మ గయ్యాళి
kuttinamma kudutlo unte, kusinamma gayyali
While the one who sewed is in the corner, the one who shouted is called a shrew.
This proverb describes a situation where the person who actually did the hard work remains quiet or unrecognized, while the person who merely made a lot of noise or complained is unfairly labeled as difficult or aggressive. It is used to point out ironies in social recognition and how vocal people are often judged differently than those who work silently.
కుడుము దాచితే, అమ్మా కుడుములు వండమన్నట్లు
kudumu dachite, amma kudumulu vandamannatlu
Like hiding a steamed dumpling and asking mother to cook more steamed dumplings.
This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or needy while already possessing or hiding the very thing they are asking for. It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or someone who is being cunning by feigning ignorance to gain more.
గతిలేనివాడికి గంగానమ్మే గతి
gatilenivadiki ganganamme gati
For the one with no recourse, Goddess Gangamma is the only refuge.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has absolutely no other options or alternatives left, forcing them to rely on a single, often final, source of hope or support. It is similar to the English proverb 'Beggars can't be choosers' or 'A drowning man catches at a straw'.
ఒళ్లు వంగనమ్మకు కాలి మెట్టెలు కందిపోయాయట
ollu vanganammaku kali mettelu kandipoyayata
The lazy woman complained that her toe-rings pinched her.
This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who makes up trivial or absurd excuses to avoid doing work. It highlights how people shift blame to insignificant things instead of admitting their own lack of effort.
Idle folks lack no excuses.
ఒళ్ళు వంగని అమ్మ కాలి మట్టెలకు కందిపోయిందట
ollu vangani amma kali mattelaku kandipoyindata
The woman who wouldn't bend her body complained that her toe rings caused her skin to chafe.
This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who makes up trivial or absurd excuses to avoid doing any physical work. It highlights the tendency of lazy people to blame their tools or small discomforts for their lack of productivity.
పేరు గంగానమ్మ, తాగబోతే నీళ్లు లేవు.
peru ganganamma, tagabote nillu levu.
Your name is mother Gangâ, but when I want a drink I find you have no water.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between one's grand title or reputation and their actual reality or lack of resources. It mocks irony or hypocrisy when someone carries a prestigious name but lacks basic necessities.
Where you think there are flitches of bacon there are not even hooks to hang them on. (Spanish.)
ఒళ్ళు వంగనమ్మ కాలిమెట్టెలకు కందిపోయిందట.
ollu vanganamma kalimettelaku kandipoyindata.
A woman who won't bend her body claimed her toe-rings caused her skin to chafe.
This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who makes silly or improbable excuses to avoid work. It mockingly refers to someone who blames minor, irrelevant things for their inability or unwillingness to perform physical labor.
కాలు వంగినగాని, గంగానమ్మయినా పట్టదు.
kalu vanginagani, ganganammayina pattadu.
Even if the leg bends, even Goddess Gangamma wouldn't hold it.
This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. It suggests that even in a situation where they are forced to bow or humble themselves (like bending a leg), they are so tight-fisted that even a deity associated with cleansing and mercy wouldn't be able to get anything out of them, or they wouldn't offer anything even in extreme circumstances.
తలకు చుట్ట అడిగినట్లు
talaku chutta adiginatlu
Like asking for a head wrap for the head.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a request or demand that is redundant, obvious, or perfectly suited to the immediate need, often implying that what is being asked for is already essential or inevitable. It is frequently used when a person asks for something they are clearly entitled to or which is a natural fit for the context.
గాడుపట్టిన గంగానమ్మ పూజారితో పోయినట్లు
gadupattina ganganamma pujarito poyinatlu
Like the possessed Goddess Ganganamma running away with the priest.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was expected to solve a problem or provide protection ends up being the cause of further trouble or escapes with the person responsible. It highlights an ironic and unexpected outcome where the cure or the solution disappears along with the source of the trouble.