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clogs to clogs in three generations

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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From the common use of clogs by manual workers in north England and following the style of similar phrases which have been attested since 1700.[1] The particular phrasing is perhaps of Lancashire origin.[1] Compare shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

Proverb

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clogs to clogs in three generations

  1. (UK) Wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts through the third (grandchild's) generation.

Synonyms

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Translations

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 John Simpson, Jennifer Speake, editors (2008), “From CLOGS to clogs is only three generations”, in The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs[1], fifth paperback edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press