The common phrase “the early bird gets the worm” refers to the idea that the earlier one starts something or arrives somewhere, the greater the advantage or reward. This brief expression alludes to a fuller traditional saying that provides more context. In this article, we will explore the origins and full meaning behind the classic proverb “the early bird catches the worm.”
What is the full traditional saying?
The earliest known recorded version of this traditional proverb can be traced back hundreds of years to a collection of sayings published in 1670:
“The early bird catches the worm.”
Over time, the expression evolved and expanded to become:
“The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
Some other extended versions are:
“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. The early worm gets eaten.”
“The early bird gets the worm. The early worm gets eaten.”
So in its full, original form, the proverb had a second part that provided an alternate perspective. However, the shorter phrase focusing solely on the early bird has endured in modern usage.
What is the origin of the full proverb?
The proverb has its roots in the 16th century or earlier. The idea of the early bird having an advantage dates back centuries.
Some possible theories on the origin include:
– It arose from the practice of literally catching worms for food. Birds able to catch worms early had an advantage over latecomers.
– It refers to early risers being ready to take on opportunities. The metaphorical worm represents something positive like a prize or success.
– It is related to a medieval belief that worms came out early in the day. So birds had to rise early to feed.
The full extended saying with the second mouse may have been added later to balance the message and show there are also benefits to being late in some cases.
But the short “early bird gets the worm” version endured on its own as the most popular takeaway.
What is the full meaning of the early bird proverb?
The saying emphasizes the benefits of preparation, promptness, and punctuality. The early bird starts its hunt right away at dawn to get first choice of worms. So it has the advantage over other birds.
More broadly, the proverb is about the value of being ready to seize opportunities. The worm represents any kind of positive or desired outcome. The early bird positions itself to acquire the worm because it wastes no time in starting its quest.
Some key points the full expression conveys:
– Taking initiative early on can provide opportunities not available later. It establishes a competitive edge.
– It’s best to act promptly rather than putting things off when opportunities arise.
– Preparation and punctuality are rewarded. Prior planning prevents poor performance.
– Acting diligently is superior to reacting late. Don’t hesitate when pursuing goals.
– Opportunity favors those ready and willing to take action when the timing is right. Delay allows openings to slip away.
So in essence, the early bird saying is about the wisdom of promptness, effort, and preparation in order to maximize one’s chances of success.
When and how is the early bird proverb used?
People most often use the short “the early bird gets the worm” phrase. It has become an idiomatic expression to emphasize the advantages of preparation and prompt action.
You might hear it used in contexts such as:
– Encouraging people to arrive early to an event to get the best parking space or seat. The early arrivals have an advantage.
– Motivating salespeople to call customers first thing in the morning to reach them before competitors.
– Advocating sending a job application right away after seeing an opening rather than waiting.
– Recommending that people shop early to take advantage of sales and greater selection.
– Cautioning procrastinators that putting things off can mean missed chances.
So the saying is commonly applied to many everyday situations involving seizing opportunities. The condensed version focused just on the early bird clearly conveys this message.
The full old saying brings up the additional angle of the second mouse also getting a reward. But the short pithy phrase remains the favorite way to express this advice.
Examples of the early bird proverb in use
Here are some examples demonstrating how the “early bird” expression is used in real world contexts:
– “Come early if you want a good seat for the concert. You know the early bird gets the worm.”
– “Let’s get to the store as soon as it opens. The early bird gets the worm, so we’ll beat the crowds.”
– “We need to act fast and list the house next week while the market is still hot. The early bird gets the worm.”
– “Don’t hit the snooze button and sleep in! I’ll be passing out assignments on a first come, first served basis. The early bird gets the worm!”
– “I submitted my application just one day after the job posting went up. Hopefully the early bird gets the worm and I’ll hear back from them soon!”
These examples demonstrate how the expression is commonly used to advise promptness and taking early action for maximum advantage.
How the early bird proverb is used in business
The early bird phrase is often employed in business contexts to promote productivity and optimal workplace performance through good preparation and time management.
For example:
– For sales teams, it inspires reaching out to clients first thing in the morning to increase prospects.
– For executives, it recommends arriving early to get a head start on work and avoid playing catch up.
– For entrepreneurs, it represents moving quickly when opportunity strikes rather than stalling.
– For small business owners, it means showing up well before opening hours to get everything ready.
– For creatives, it suggests starting projects promptly when inspiration hits rather than delaying.
– For employees, it encourages submitting work ahead of deadlines and attendance punctuality.
Overall, it is shorthand for business maxims like “prepare ahead of time”, “strike while the iron is hot”, and “time is money.” The early bird proverb promotes productivity through promptness and diligence.
Quotes related to the early bird proverb
The early bird maxim is reflected in many other quotes on preparation, punctuality, and seizing opportunity:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
“You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it.” – Philip Sidney
“Time and tide wait for no man.” – Geoffrey Chaucer
“Procrastination is the thief of time.” – Edward Young
“If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.” – Olin Miller
These quotes echo the core message that diligence, focus, and prompt action are key to exploiting chances for success.
How the early bird proverb is relevant in modern times
Even in today’s fast-paced world, the essence of this old adage still resonates. Despite technological changes, time remains a limited resource. Society may have evolved, but human nature has not.
Key reasons the early bird maxim remains relevant:
– Timely preparation is still a competitive advantage. Failure to plan ahead risks playing catch up.
– Delayed responses due to distraction or procrastination still result in missed opportunities.
– The benefits of diligence and punctuality have not changed. Tardiness and hesitation hamper success.
– While technology allows greater flexibility, prompt action when the conditions are right pays dividends.
– Wasting time continues to negatively impact outcomes. Lost moments cannot be recaptured.
So while modes of communication and workflow have changed, prompt pursuit of opportunities remains advantageous. Technology makes it even easier to take immediate action. Overall, human tendencies that make the early bird important persist in the modern world.
Conclusion
In summary, while we commonly just hear the short phrase “the early bird gets the worm,” this popular saying originated from a longer traditional proverb. In its full form, it reminds us there are alternatives to being early. But the short version focusing solely on the early bird prevails as the most widely used takeaway.
This brief but vivid expression imparts lasting wisdom through metaphor. It teaches the merits of diligence, preparation, and punctuality. Opportunities strongly favor those who seize them promptly when the time is right over those who hesitate and delay. This lesson remains highly relevant despite evolving technology and ways of life. The vision of the early bird reaping the benefits of rising early persists as an insightful proverb for the ages.