Popular Phrases: Origin and Meaning of "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine"
In researching the origin of this article, I found that most cliché's have original origins in the bible. No specific passage of scripture was cited as to "A stitch in time saves nine." Some contend that the phrase originated from mothers who were weary of mending their children's clothing. Following this theory, the phrase should properly be "A stitch, in time, saves nine." Meaning, if children rip their clothing, they should bring them for repair immediately. If children continue what they are doing, they cause the rip to become larger, which results in extra work for their mother. As a mother, I like this interpretation better than the other interpretations. I must admit, though, that I rarely mend my children's clothing. In another translation, the phrase, "a stitch in time saves nine" means that tasks should be completed immediately, or you will have nine times the work when you complete the task.
The first instance of the phrase, "a stitch in time saves nine" appeared in 1732. It was printed in a book called Gnomologia, by Thomas Fuller. It is unknown if he coined the phrase, or simply used a proverb popular during the time. In the 1800's Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women) brought the phrase back into popularity in a short story she wrote entitled Kitty's Day Class.
The many interpretations of the phrase, "A stitch in time saves nine," are all very similar. Regardless of the interpretation, you prefer, in the end, the meaning is the same...DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Complete the work you have in a timely manner, otherwise it will become a bigger job than it needed to be.
If you enjoyed this article, and would like to read more by this author, click on her name at the top of this page. This is the fourth in a series of articles about popular phrases and their origins. If you have additional information regarding the phrase, "a stitch in time saves nine," feel free to contact this author.
Published by Angela Russell
Angela was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She married her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. Angela currently provides bookkeeping and accounting services for nearly one hundred sm... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentYou REALLY didn't know what that phrase meant??? Are you in idiot or something!? It should be common sense.
whatever task u got ,do it with full of u'r potential,sothat u doesn't need to do ammends again & again.
hi everybody!!!! im at school rite now
i think that this wz very helpful. that's all i have to say.
yu can give more on words
I don't know where you got that interpretation. It means that working carefully now will prevent time-consuming repairs later. It's the same idea as "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and "measure twice, cut once"
i thought this phrase was wit reference to a king in the past centuries whose saddle wasn't mended due to which he fell off his horse during the war ,,,due to which his army fled away thinking that their king has been killed by the opponent but infact he was kept in the enemies prison.
it means dont procrastinate the nine is in the saying mainly because it rhymes. the original phrase didnt even have the word nine.
What it means is basically that if you manage to get one stitch on a tear in your cloth in time before it rips further, it will save you from nine stitches later. It's an arbitrary number, but I guess that some kid failed to mention a rip to their mother who probably ended up having to put nine stitches in a piece of clothing that would have required only one had it been brought to her attention earlier.
I thought it was "a SNITCH in time saves nine" I played it over and over again...I could be wrong tho I guess...;}