ఊదర ఒక ధాన్యమా? ఉండ్రాళ్ళు ఒక పిండివంటా?

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is mediocre or falls between categories, lacking the distinct quality of either. It refers to items that are considered inferior or 'neither here nor there' in terms of status or utility.

This proverb is used to remind people in positions of authority or seniority to be empathetic and humble. It emphasizes that everyone starts from a subordinate position and has faced similar struggles, so one should treat their juniors or family members with the same kindness they once wished for themselves.

Generally, people are attracted by the new (especially, fashions in dress and the like) and tend to dislike the old. It is similar to the saying in English: “familiarity breeds contempt.”

This proverb is used to describe a person who is eccentric or stubborn, always choosing to go against the consensus or common path. It highlights non-conformity, often in a negative or frustrating sense, where one person acts contrary to everyone else in a group.

This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of family roles and the importance of empathy. It reminds elders (the mother-in-law and father-in-law) that they once held the same subordinate or new roles as their children-in-law. It is used to suggest that one should treat their daughter-in-law or son-in-law with kindness and understanding, remembering their own past experiences in those positions.

This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.

This proverb highlights that everyone in a position of authority once held a subordinate role. It is used to remind people (especially in-laws) to be empathetic and treat others with kindness, remembering that they were once in the same shoes. It emphasizes that life is a cycle and experiences are shared across generations.

This proverb highlights that nature or common benefits do not discriminate between the essential and the non-essential. It is used to explain that certain circumstances or rules apply universally to everyone involved in a situation, regardless of their status or importance.

This proverb is used to express dissatisfaction or indifference towards something that is easily available or lacks excitement. In traditional Telugu culture, marrying a maternal aunt's son was common and expected, leading to a sense of familiarity that lacked the thrill of a new alliance. Similarly, 'undrallu' are simple steamed rice balls, considered plain compared to elaborate sweets. It describes a situation where familiarity breeds a lack of value.

This proverb is used to describe something that is of inferior quality or doesn't quite fit into a specific category, often implying that certain things are considered secondary or not as valuable as the main alternatives. In a broader sense, it refers to things that are neither here nor there.