Some rhyming Sayings in Malay. 
By A. W. HamiutTon. 
From time to time the diligent lstener and gleaner of un- 
considered trifles will during his intercourse with Malays happen 
upon little scraps of proverbial lore or the rhyming equivalents for 
such which are part of the common stock in trade of conversation 
but are not to be found in any printed work on the language. 
Of such are the following which have been collected no further 
afield than in Singapore and Penang and in the localities where 
they are current it is only necessary to quote the first line to convey 
the meaning contained in the second. 
1. Pinjam ekor sémbilang; 
Pinjam pinjam hilang. 
To lend the tail of a sémbilang fish: 
To lend continuously is to lose. 
A caustic remark applicable to a goodhearted person who has lent 
an article once too often, or to an importunate borrower. 
2. Mérpati mémbunoh kéra; 
Bélum mati bélum jéra. 
The pigeon slays the kéra monkey: 
Only when dead will you profit by experience. 
A saying applicable to a person or child who persists in a course 
from which he has been advised to desist. 
3. Takok takal muka pintu; 
Orang nakal memang bégitu. 
Cleave the block in the dcorway: 
That is the inevitable result of being naughty. 
A reproof administered to a mischievous child who has perhaps ° 
fallen down and is crying over a trifling hurt. 
4. Ikan tokak makan méranggong; 
Sédap tékak badan ménanggong. 
The tokak fish bite two at a time: 
If you indulge your appetite your body must bear the 
consequences. 
A jibe at the exvense of a person suffering from the effects of a 
debauch of any description. 
Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc., No. 86 1922. 
