Wie A zegt, moet ook B zeggen<\/strong><\/h2>\nYou cannot say A without saying B (in for a penny, in for a pound)<\/em><\/p>\nThis saying basically says that when you take a first step, you have to pursue and take the next- Finish what you started. \u00a0There are different explanations for its origin.<\/p>\n
The most common is the reference to the alphabet. A, the first letter of the alphabet, symbolizes the first step. The next logical step is the next letter – the B. So who says A, has to say B, because it is logic to finish what you started.<\/p>\n
A second one, from Germany, says that the river Aa was known as the dirtiest river of Germany in the late Middle Ages.\u00a0B\u00e4h\u00a0<\/em>is an expression of disgust, and thus it was clear for everybody: who says\u00a0Aa<\/em> has to say\u00a0B\u00e4h<\/em>, which then turns into\u00a0A\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0B.\u00a0<\/em>However, this does not explain the meaning of the saying.<\/p>\nA third explanation goes to the German justice system. After a claim, the claimant can face a counterclaim, and in that case also has to answer to it. In the German system, this is called\u00a0besagen<\/em>, which sounds like\u00a0B sagen –\u00a0<\/em>to say B. This does not explain the A, but does explain saying B – it can be unpleasant and hard to answer to such a counterclaim, which somebody might want to avoid.<\/p>\nUse<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is especially used in situations where the person is reluctant to take the next step, because it is unpleasant or difficult. In basically all kinds of situations. Example:<\/p>\n
De nieuwe baas heeft een project gestart, maar nu\u00a0vindt hij het te moeilijk, omdat hij er veel tijd aan moet besteden. Wie A zegt, moet ook B zeggen!<\/em><\/p>\nThe new boss has started a project, but now he finds it too difficult, because he has to spend a lot of time on it. In for a penny, in for a pound!<\/p>\n
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Haantje de voorste zijn<\/strong><\/h2>\nTo be rooster the first (to be the first one in everything)<\/em><\/p>\nHaantje de voorste\u00a0<\/em>is the person who always wants to be first. The first to enter the fun park during a school trip, the first to say something in class, the first to take on a job. The rooster, the\u00a0haan(tje)\u00a0<\/em>is the “leader” of his chickens. He wants to have everything in control, and be first with everything. So that is what this expression refers to.<\/p>\nUse<\/strong><\/p>\nHaantje de voorste\u00a0<\/em>seems quite a positive thing, because it has characteristics of a doer, a confident leader. However, this expression often comes with a negative, sometimes even envious connotation. Especially when somebody does it all the time, people can get annoyed.\u00a0Example\u00a0(with some irritation!):<\/p>\nHans is alweer de eerste die het pretpark in wil! Hij is altijd haantje de voorste!<\/em><\/p>\nHans is again the first one that wants to enter the fun park! He is always the first one in everything!<\/p>\n
This saying basically says that when you take a first step, you have to pursue and take the next- Finish what you started. \u00a0There are different explanations for its origin.<\/p>\n
The most common is the reference to the alphabet. A, the first letter of the alphabet, symbolizes the first step. The next logical step is the next letter – the B. So who says A, has to say B, because it is logic to finish what you started.<\/p>\n
A second one, from Germany, says that the river Aa was known as the dirtiest river of Germany in the late Middle Ages.\u00a0B\u00e4h\u00a0<\/em>is an expression of disgust, and thus it was clear for everybody: who says\u00a0Aa<\/em> has to say\u00a0B\u00e4h<\/em>, which then turns into\u00a0A\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0B.\u00a0<\/em>However, this does not explain the meaning of the saying.<\/p>\n A third explanation goes to the German justice system. After a claim, the claimant can face a counterclaim, and in that case also has to answer to it. In the German system, this is called\u00a0besagen<\/em>, which sounds like\u00a0B sagen –\u00a0<\/em>to say B. This does not explain the A, but does explain saying B – it can be unpleasant and hard to answer to such a counterclaim, which somebody might want to avoid.<\/p>\n Use<\/strong><\/p>\n It is especially used in situations where the person is reluctant to take the next step, because it is unpleasant or difficult. In basically all kinds of situations. Example:<\/p>\n De nieuwe baas heeft een project gestart, maar nu\u00a0vindt hij het te moeilijk, omdat hij er veel tijd aan moet besteden. Wie A zegt, moet ook B zeggen!<\/em><\/p>\n The new boss has started a project, but now he finds it too difficult, because he has to spend a lot of time on it. In for a penny, in for a pound!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To be rooster the first (to be the first one in everything)<\/em><\/p>\n Haantje de voorste\u00a0<\/em>is the person who always wants to be first. The first to enter the fun park during a school trip, the first to say something in class, the first to take on a job. The rooster, the\u00a0haan(tje)\u00a0<\/em>is the “leader” of his chickens. He wants to have everything in control, and be first with everything. So that is what this expression refers to.<\/p>\n Use<\/strong><\/p>\n Haantje de voorste\u00a0<\/em>seems quite a positive thing, because it has characteristics of a doer, a confident leader. However, this expression often comes with a negative, sometimes even envious connotation. Especially when somebody does it all the time, people can get annoyed.\u00a0Example\u00a0(with some irritation!):<\/p>\n Hans is alweer de eerste die het pretpark in wil! Hij is altijd haantje de voorste!<\/em><\/p>\n Hans is again the first one that wants to enter the fun park! He is always the first one in everything!<\/p>\nHaantje de voorste zijn<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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