ProverbHuman NatureInternational origin

Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake.

Meaning: People often show affection to gain favor with those in power or influence, rather than from genuine feeling.

Origin: A suitor may make a fuss of a child only to win favor with its attractive nurse. The saying, which also appears among Danish proverbs, describes kindness that is really aimed at someone else.

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Mening Actually means 'opinion'. Mijn mening = my opinion. The meaning of a word is its betekeni…
  • Puxe Actually means 'pull' — the imperative of puxar. The door sign telling you to push says e…
  • Esquisito Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.

Browse all false friends →

Keep exploring

Explore all proverbs →