Proverbs may by nature be short, but they pack an a lot of wisdom in a short space. Test your knowledge of proverbs with our Dictionary of Modern Proverbs quiz. Can you figure out what piece of wisdom is missing? Or when they were first used? You might be surprised to learn that many popular phrases did not originate with the famous people we attribute them to, but rather, their usage increased after appearing in print. Remember that you can contribute possible additions to the proverb research and future editions by submitting new information and comments on our website.

Send us your responses by Tuesday, July 3 for your chance to win a copy of this wonderful book. We’ll release the answers after the 4th of July holiday, and you might catch a hint or few by following along with the #modernproverbs hashtag on Twitter!

The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs Quiz

Fill in the blank

1. It takes a ______ to raise a child.
2. It is easier to get forgiveness than _______________.
3. ________ is such a lonely word.
4. The _____ is a terrible thing to waste.
5. ____ is the best policeman.

Identify the Year Published

1. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” was published in ______.
2. “Keep the home fires burning” was first used in ____.
3. “If life hands you lemons, make lemonade” was first used in _____.
4. “Don’t get your panties in a twist” (or a similar variation) was first used in _____.
5. “Life is what happens when you are making other plans” was first published in ____.