There is a popular proverb people use in Lebanon when others comment about something without knowing the real story behind it. It translates as “Those who know, know, and those who do not know say ‘A handful of lentils’. Leen explains this proverb, tells us about its origins, and how the proverb applied to one of her neighbors. So, next time someone remarks about something they do not really know its reality, you will have the perfect response ready.
Lebanese-Arabic Transcript and English Contextual Translation
1
مرحبا وأهلا وسهلا فيكن بحلقة جديدة من لانغويج وايف. اليوم رح نحكي عن قصة مثل لبناني معروف ومعظمنا سامع فيه بس ما منعرف شو قصتو. فخلونا اليوم نتعرف سوا أكثر عن هيدا المثل، ومن وَين إجا، وأيمتا بينقال.
Hello, and welcome to a new episode from Language Wave. Today, we will speak about the story of a renowned Lebanese proverb, which most of us have heard of, but we do not know the story behind it. So, let us learn more about this proverb together, where it came from, and when it is used.
2
مثلنا لليوم بقول :”يلي بيعرف بيعرف، ويلي ما بيعرف بيقول كف عدس“.
Our proverb today says “Those who know, know, and those who do not know say ‘A handful of lentils’”.