It may be codswallop, but a poll has found some old sayings look dead as a doornail.
And, apparently, the most endangered is one from the Bible, “pearls before swine”.
If you are as baffled by that as the 78% of 18 to 50-year-olds in the poll, we can tell you it means don’t give a thing of value to people unable to appreciate it.
The survey also found 66% had never used the expression “a nod is as good as a wink” and 56% had never told someone “don’t get your knickers in a twist”.
But the Perspectus Global researchers also found 73% in the poll felt it was a crying shame that age-old sayings were dying out.
Perspectus spokeswoman Ellie Glason said: “It’s interesting to see how language evolves.
“Despite many sayings dying out, four out of five Brits think we have the richest, most descriptive language in the world.”
Top 20 sayings that are on their way out
Pearls before swine 78% (never use the phrase)
Nail your colours to the mast 71%
Colder than a witch’s tit 71%
Pip pip 70%
Know your onions 68%
A nod is as good as a wink 66%
A stitch in time saves nine 64%
Ready for the knackers yard 62%
I’ve dropped a clanger 60%
A fly in the ointment 59%
Keen as mustard 58%
A flash in the pan 57%
Tickety boo 57%
A load of codswallop 56%
A curtain twitcher 56%
Knickers in a twist 56%
Dead as a doornail 55%
A dog’s dinner 55%
It’s chock a block 55%
Storm in a teacup 55%
