fine words butter no parsnips

English

Alternative forms

In the 17th century, found in various forms with the adjective for the words or the food that is buttered being different, thus allowing combinations of "fine/fair/soft words butter no parsnips/cabbage/fish/connie" before becoming standardized in the form "fine words doth butter no parsnips".

Etymology

Attested as early as 1639 as "faire words butter noe parsnips", alluding to the English habit of buttering foods to make them more palatable.

Proverb

fine words butter no parsnips

Nothing is achieved by empty words or flattery.

Translations

talking about doing something does not get it done

Ancient Greek: ῥήματα ἀντ’ ἀλφίτων (rhḗmata ant’ alphítōn)
Dutch: praatjes vullen geen gaatjes
Finnish: ei suuret sanat suuta halkaise

Italian: le belle parole non danno da mangiare
Russian: соловья баснями не накормишь (you can't feed a nightingale with fables)

References

Butter no parsnips on World Wide Words
Fine words butter no parsnips on The Phrase Finder

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