was der Bauer nicht kennt, das frisst er nicht

German

Etymology

A loan translation of German Low German wat de Buur nich kennt, dat frett he nich (“what the farmer doesn’t know, he won’t eat”). Compare also Dutch wat de boer niet kent, dat vreet hij niet.

Proverb

was der Bauer nicht kennt, das frisst er nicht

1. (more negative) some people are afraid of trying something new
2. (more positive) some people are content with the simple, traditional ways and do not crave for the latest fashions