రామచిలుక మాట మాట అంటే బూతుబూతు అందిట

ramachiluka mata mata ante butubutu andita

Translation

When asked to speak word by word, the parrot started speaking filth.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone is encouraged to speak or participate, but they end up saying something inappropriate, offensive, or counterproductive. It is used when a person lacks discretion and spoils a situation by oversharing or using foul language when they were expected to be polite.

Related Phrases

If you say 'Uu' it's a mistake, if you say 'Aa' it's a mistake, and saying 'Narayana' is considered an insult.

This expression is used to describe an extremely difficult person or situation where no matter what you say or how politely you behave, the other person finds fault with it. It characterizes a scenario of irrational criticism where even a divine name (Narayana) is twisted into something negative.

A beautiful parrot ( Râmachiluka ) among coals. A good thing found in a bad place.

This expression is used to describe a person of exceptional beauty or talent who is found in a very poor, dirty, or unfavorable environment. It highlights the striking contrast between someone's inherent quality and their humble or bleak surroundings.

The word spoken with learning is the word of an expert.

This expression emphasizes that knowledge and skill bring weight to one's words. It suggests that when someone speaks after truly learning or mastering a subject, their words carry authority and wisdom, distinguishing them as a capable or clever person (Neravaadi).

Spoken words are worse than heard words

This expression highlights the power and potential danger of speech. While listening to something bad is passive, speaking ill of someone or spreading rumors is an active, more harmful deed. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of what one says, as spoken words can cause more damage than what one simply hears.

A person with a black tongue has no consistency in their word.

This expression is used to describe someone who is untrustworthy, manipulative, or frequently changes their stance. A 'black tongue' (machanaluka) metaphorically refers to someone whose words can bring misfortune or someone who lies habitually, implying that their promises or statements cannot be relied upon.

When someone said 'Rama Rama', he asked 'Why are you using foul language?'

This expression is used to describe a person who is so ignorant, wicked, or perverse that they perceive even something holy, good, or well-intentioned as something offensive or wrong. It highlights a complete lack of understanding or a distorted perspective.

If you let out your secret, it will get all over the village.

This proverb is used to warn someone about the difficulty of keeping secrets. It suggests that once a private thought or secret is voiced to even one person, it quickly spreads and becomes public knowledge.

Three know it, all know it. (Italian.)* The secret of two is God's secret; the secret of three is all the world's, (French.)?

A parrot in its nest

This expression is often used as a metaphor for the human soul residing within the body. It can also describe a person who is safe, protected, or homebound, similar to a parrot tucked away in its dwelling.

If I say "Â" (yes), it's wrong; if I say "Nārāyaṇa," it's obscene.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely hypersensitive, hypercritical, or impossible to please. It depicts a situation where even the most innocent or sacred words (like 'Narayana') are deliberately misinterpreted as offensive or negative by someone looking for an excuse to find fault.

Faults are thick where love is thin. (Welsh.)

Shall we make them say that too, father-in-law?

This expression refers to a situation where a person, having already faced criticism or insults, continues to act recklessly or foolishly, inviting even more public humiliation. It is used to mock someone who doesn't know when to stop and is about to bring more shame upon themselves.