Alleged old saying

[Charles Doyle]

The last clause, "The hit (bit) dog (always) howls (barks, hollers)," is recorded as a proverb in Mieder (et al.)'s _Dictionary of American Proverbs_ (1992), p. 161; and also in Whiting's _Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings [from North Carolina]_ (1952), p. 398. Whiting cites instances from the 1930s (in several parts of the South). My records suggest that it was current in the 19th century.

Another "synonymous" (and no doubt older) proverb would be "Let the galled jade wince."

--Charlie
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---- Original message ----
>Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:16:41 -0700
>From: Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM>
>Subject: Alleged old saying
>
>Mike Huckabee to Chris Wallace on Fox News this evening:
>
>  "In Arkansas we have a saying: 'When you throw a rock over the fence, the hit dog howls.'"
>
>  In other words, "If the shoe fits, wear it."
>
>  JL

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