fine words butter no parsnips
English edit
Etymology edit
Attested as early as 1639 as faire words butter noe parsnips, alluding to the English habit of buttering foods to make them more palatable. It was found in the 17th century in various forms with the first and last word being different, thus allowing combinations of fine/fair/soft with parsnips/cabbage/fish/connie before becoming standardized in the form fine words doth butter no parsnips.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (US): (file)
Proverb edit
- Nothing is achieved by empty words or flattery.
Translations edit
talking about doing something does not get it done
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See also edit
References edit
- Butter no parsnips on World Wide Words
- Fine words butter no parsnips on The Phrase Finder