సర్పం కాదు పాము అన్నట్టు

sarpam kadu pamu annattu

Translation

Like saying it's not a 'Sarpa' but a 'Paamu'

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone says something redundant or tautological, often trying to make a distinction where none exists. In Telugu, 'Sarpa' (Sanskrit origin) and 'Paamu' (Dravidian origin) both mean snake. It points out the absurdity of arguing over synonyms or stating the obvious as if it were a new fact.

Related Phrases

An offering to the deity of the flowers which cannot be reached.

This expression is used when someone tries to make a virtue out of a necessity. When a person fails to achieve or obtain something despite their efforts, they pretend they never wanted it or claim they are giving it up for a higher or noble cause to save face.

Like saying flour blown away by the wind is an offering to Lord Rama.

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be charitable or generous with something they have already lost or cannot use. It refers to making a virtue out of necessity or claiming credit for a sacrifice that wasn't intentional.

When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.

Like offering the flour being blown away by the wind to Lord Rama

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be charitable or generous with something that they were going to lose anyway or that is already useless to them. It mocks the hypocritical act of making a virtue out of necessity.

When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

When one said 'No, no', the other said 'It's mine, it's mine'.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely greedy or opportunistic. It refers to a situation where a person tries to claim ownership of something even when others are denying it belongs to them or trying to distance themselves from it. It highlights a tendency to grab everything available without considering whether it is appropriate or right.

When a fly falls into the raw gruel, the monk says 'whatever fell is dedicated to Lord Rama'

This expression is used to describe a person who pretends to be generous or sacrificial only when something is already lost, ruined, or of no use to them. It mocks the act of making a virtue out of necessity or masking a loss as a voluntary donation.

Like saying, 'If I get up, I am not a human'

This expression describes a person who makes grand, empty boasts or threats while being lazy or inactive. It is used to mock someone who talks big about their capabilities or temper but fails to take any actual action.

Like performing an ancestral ritual on the day a pumpkin is found.

This proverb describes someone who is extremely stingy or opportunistic, performing a religious or social obligation only when the necessary materials (in this case, a pumpkin for ritualistic offerings) are obtained for free or by chance, rather than out of genuine devotion or at the proper scheduled time.

When asked who makes your heart beat/dance, he replied it is the same Ankadu who came for Anji.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a confusing, circular, or irrelevant answer to a straightforward question. It highlights a scenario where a person tries to sound knowledgeable or specific but ends up saying something that makes no sense to the listener.