తులము నాలుకకు తొంబై రుచులు

tulamu nalukaku tombai ruchulu

Translation

Ninety tastes for a tongue that weighs only a Tola.

Meaning

This proverb highlights human greed and the constant craving for variety in food. Despite the tongue being a very small organ (a Tola is a small unit of weight), it demands an endless variety of flavors and delicacies. It is used to describe someone who is overly fastidious about food or someone whose desires are disproportionate to their size or status.

Related Phrases

Like asking about the taste just before starting to eat.

This proverb is used to describe someone's impatience or redundant curiosity when they are about to experience or find out the result anyway. It suggests that there is no point in questioning or speculating about something when the final outcome is imminent and will be known shortly through direct experience.

Ninety-nine people gathered just to cut a piece of leather.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a large number of people are involved in a very simple task, leading to inefficiency, unnecessary commotion, or an underwhelming result. It highlights the futility of over-organizing or having too many people 'help' with a minor job.

Having strength in one's thighs is like having ninety people with you.

This expression emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and physical or inner strength. It suggests that if an individual is personally strong and capable, they possess the power equivalent to a large group (ninety people), implying that personal grit is superior to relying on others.

All the flavours are right, but there is no salt in it. Said of badly prepared food.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something has all the superficial qualities or fancy elements but lacks the most essential ingredient or core component needed for it to be useful or satisfying. Just as salt is vital for the taste of food, this highlights a fundamental missing piece in an otherwise grand effort.

All flavors are fine, but there is no salt in it.

This expression is used to describe a situation where everything appears perfect or complete on the surface, but a crucial, essential element is missing that makes the entire effort useless. Just as salt is vital for a meal's taste, certain tasks or relationships are incomplete without their core requirement.

Ninety times if there is company.

This expression suggests that a task becomes significantly easier or can be repeated many times more effectively when one has company or support. It highlights the power of companionship and collaboration in overcoming challenges or sustaining effort.

If one says 'there is a tiger', another says 'its tail is ninety miles long'.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates a story or a rumor even further than the original speaker. It highlights how rumors spread and grow disproportionately as they pass from person to person.

A person with two tongues

This expression is used to describe a hypocrite or a person who is deceitful. It refers to someone who says different things to different people or someone who goes back on their word (double-tongued).

The strength of a woman is on her tongue

This expression suggests that a woman's primary power or weapon lies in her speech and verbal skills rather than physical force. It is often used to describe situations where someone uses words effectively to manage a situation or defend themselves.

Ninety for the tail and forty for me.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or unimportant part of something is prioritized over the primary or essential part. It highlights poor resource allocation, misplaced priorities, or a ridiculous imbalance where the accessory gets more attention or value than the main entity.