IdiomNature
Thai
Thaiชักแม่น้ำทั้งห้า
Meaning: To give a long-winded, roundabout justification before getting to the point.
Literally: To invoke all five rivers
Example: “เขาชักแม่น้ำทั้งห้าก่อนจะขอยืมเงิน” — He beat around the bush for ages before asking to borrow money.
English equivalent: To beat around the bush
Origin: From the Mahachat, the Thai telling of the Vessantara Jataka: the old Brahmin Chuchok, before asking Prince Vessantara for his two children, praises him at great length, invoking the five great rivers of India. "Drawing in all five rivers" is a long, flattering preamble before a request.
Equivalents in other languages
German: Um den heißen Brei herumreden Literally: To talk around the hot porridge
French: Tourner autour du pot Literally: To turn around the pot
English: beat around the bush
Italian: menare il can per l'aia Literally: To lead the dog through the courtyard
Russian: ходить вокруг да около (khodit' vokrug da okolo) Literally: To walk around yes and near
More Thai idioms
- จับปลาสองมือ To chase two goals at once and risk losing both.
- ตำน้ำพริกละลายแม่น้ำ To squander resources for nothing.
- ขี่ช้างจับตั๊กแตน To use enormous means for a trivial result.
- น้ำขึ้นให้รีบตัก Seize an opportunity while it lasts.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- The absent are always at fault. Those not present to defend themselves get the blame.
- Who hath aching teeth, hath ill tenants. Persistent pains are like bad tenants — troublesome, unwelcome, and hard to evict.
- Adversity makes a man wise, not rich. Hardship teaches wisdom even when it never fills your pockets.
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