160 3IALAY PROVERBS. 



Riap, joyous, mirthful, means also luxuriant as applied to 

 vegetation. 



183. Milium chuka pagi hari. 



" To drink vinegar in the morning." 



Something that '-goes against the grain" e. g. polygamy, 

 from the point of view of the wives. Malay women are 

 extremely jealous, and one of several wives of one husband 

 (perampuan bermadu) will describe her lot by this phrase. 

 " minum chuka, etc." 



184. Mengalis kain payahjuga ka-cherok; 

 Mengalis chakap dimata-mata stihja. 



" To change a garment there is the trouble of going into 

 a corner, but to change words (break promises) is the sim- 

 plest thing in the world." 



185. Meniaga bid ah kasap. 

 Hujung liilang panykal lescq>. 



" If you trade in the rough bamboo, you lose the top and 

 the bottom disappears." 



To lose one's capital besides forfeiting all the anticipated 

 profit, by a foolish investment. 



Buluh kasap is a kind of bamboo, (also called buluh telov 

 and buluh telang), which is of no use for building purposes, 

 the wood being extremely thin and the bore large. The 

 Eawah Malays boil pulut rice in lengths of it to give to their 

 friends on feast daj-s, and the custom prevails also in some 

 parts of Perak. 



Goldsmith's " gross of green spectacles" is just the kind 

 of transaction to which this proverb would apply. 



186. Menahan jerat ditempat genting. 

 " To set a snare in a narrow place." 



To take advantage of another's difficulties, e. g. to pur- 

 chase (property for a quarter of its value) from a man in 

 distressed circumstances, (by tempting him with reach- 

 money.) 



187. Menulong kerbau ditangkap Jiarimau* 



To go to the rescue of a buffalo which has been seized 

 by a tiger." 



