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Ron Iverson
Medium member

USA
161 Posts
Posted - 12/04/2020 :  04:14:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would like help translating the following, described as an old proverb: "Når økse kjeften røsta er rævæ tom".

Context: bygdebok author is explaining that carpentry/construction work in old Bergen - which burned frequently - was an important source of cash for farmers in Alenfit skipreida, up the coast from Bergen.
Ronald A. Iverson

jwiborg
Norway Heritage Veteran

Norway
4961 Posts
Posted - 12/04/2020 :  10:41:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hehe... this is quite a rough word usage, it translates directly to "When the axe head gets rusty, the ass is empty"
A perhaps better or more formal saying (and meaning the same) would be "When the axe head gets rusty, the stomach is empty"
Meaning that there was not much money for food when there was little construction work. A city fire in Bergen was "good news" for the builders, it secured a good and steady income....


An axe not used gets rusty.
Edited by - jwiborg on 12/04/2020 16:51:09
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Ron Iverson
Medium member

USA
161 Posts
Posted - 13/04/2020 :  00:47:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks very much. Guess I can't think of an English-speaking proverb comparable to this one.
Ronald A. Iverson
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vivi
Senior member

Norway
371 Posts
Posted - 13/04/2020 :  02:23:00  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi

I would think the "... er rævæ tom" means "have no money".

There is a norwegian saying still used: "Ha ræva full av gryn".
This means to "have a lot of money".

So when "the ass is emty" you have no money.
Vivi
Edited by - vivi on 13/04/2020 02:45:58
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