Chi prima arriva meglio alloggia

Meaning: Whoever arrives first gets the best choice.

Literally: Whoever arrives first gets the best lodging

Example: “I posti non sono numerati: chi prima arriva meglio alloggia.” — Seats aren't numbered: first come, first served.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Polish

English: First come, first served
French: Premier arrivé, premier servi (literally: First arrived, first served)
Spanish: El que primero llega, primero come (literally: The first to arrive eats first)
German: Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst (literally: He who comes first, mills first)
Dutch: Wie het eerst komt, het eerst maalt (literally: Whoever comes first grinds first)
Polish: Kto pierwszy, ten lepszy (literally: Whoever's first is better off)

Origin: The traveler who reaches the inn first gets the best room.

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