APAD: Many a true word is spoken in jest

Meaning
Said about humorous remarks that contain serious or true statements

History
A version of this appears in the Prologue to "The Cook's Tale" (1390) by Geoffrey Chaucer: "Ful ofte in game a sooth I have herd saye!".

An early print appearance of the most familiar form of this aphorism was in Volume VII of the Roxburghe Ballads, where it appears in the prologue to The Merry Man's Resolution, or A London Frollick. The ballad purportedly goes back to the 17th century, but the introductory verse was probably written by the editor of the collection, Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth

He goes a wooing, yet the matter's so,
He cares not much whether he speeds or no;
'Cause City Wives and Wenches are so common,
He thinks it hard to find an honest woman.
Be n't angry with this fellow, I protest
That many a true word hath been spoke in jest.
By degrees he layes a wager, money's scant,
Until five shillings out; then ends his Rant.

- From wiki and another online source, with editing
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This proverb also reminds me of "every joke has a grain of truth".  Sometimes, if not all the time, people tell jokes to express their feelings and emotions that arise from world or life events.  Sometimes people want to discuss serious matters but in a light and easy to bear manner. “Quizás, quizás, quizás”...  ...

Alright, below is a funny idiom poem for you to judge: is it of any truth?  

Happy Saturday!

 

 

所有跟帖： 

• Nice poem. Truth&beauty are fine but I'm here for entmt :-) -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 09/27/2025 postreply 11:35:52

• +100! That + knowledge sharing. Way to go APAD/MYSJ! :-)) -最西邊的島上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 09/27/2025 postreply 11:47:38

• Funny poem.Poem makes it easy to remember. Learned “jest” -天邊一片白雲- ♀ (0 bytes) () 09/27/2025 postreply 13:04:56

• Yep, it’s actually a kid poem but 2 funny 2 pass :-) -最西邊的島上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 09/27/2025 postreply 13:20:22

• COVID time, be position, stay negative -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 09/28/2025 postreply 06:35:08