From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1913 newspaper advertisement |
|
| Origin/etymology | A pic with thousands words. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Seeing something is better for learning than having it described |
| Original form | «A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.» |
| Coined by | Henrik Ibsen |
«A picture is worth a thousand words» is an adage in multiple languages meaning that complex and sometimes multiple ideas[1] can be conveyed by a single still image, which conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a mere verbal description.
History[edit]
In March 1911, the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a banquet to discuss journalism and publicity. This was reported in two articles. In an article in The Post-Standard covering this event, the author quoted Arthur Brisbane (not Tess Flanders as previously reported here and elsewhere) as saying: «Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.»[2] In an article in the Printers’ Ink, the same quote is attributed to Brisbane[3]
A similar phrase, «One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words», appears in a 1913 newspaper advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio.[4]
Early use of the exact phrase appears in a 1918 newspaper advertisement for the San Antonio Light, which says:
One of the Nation’s Greatest Editors Says:
One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War
Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warmreception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.[5]
The modern use of the phrase is generally attributed to Fred R. Barnard. Barnard wrote this phrase in the advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink, promoting the use of images in advertisements that appeared on the sides of streetcars.[6] The December 8, 1921, issue carries an ad entitled, «One Look is Worth A Thousand Words.» Another ad by Barnard appears in the March 10, 1927, issue with the phrase «One Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words», where it is labeled a Chinese proverb. The 1949 Home Book of Proverbs, Maxims, and Familiar Phrases quotes Barnard as saying he called it «a Chinese proverb, so that people would take it seriously.»[7] Nonetheless, the proverb soon after became popularly attributed to Confucius. The actual Chinese expression «Hearing something a hundred times isn’t better than seeing it once» (百闻不如一见, p bǎi wén bù rú yī jiàn) is sometimes introduced as an equivalent, as Watts’s «One showing is worth a hundred sayings».[8] This was published as early as 1966 discussing persuasion and selling in a book on engineering design.[9]
Equivalents[edit]
Despite this modern origin of the popular phrase, the sentiment has been expressed by earlier writers. For example, Leonardo da Vinci wrote that a poet would be «overcome by sleep and hunger before [being able to] describe with words what a painter is able to [depict] in an instant.»[10] The Russian writer Ivan Turgenev wrote in 1861, «The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.»[11] The quote is sometimes attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, who said «A good sketch is better than a long speech» (French: Un bon croquis vaut mieux qu’un long discours). This is sometimes translated today as «A picture is worth a thousand words.»
Similar phrases[edit]
Edsger Dijkstra at the blackboard during a conference at ETH Zurich in 1994. In Dijkstra’s own words, «A picture may be worth a thousand words, a formula is worth a thousand pictures.»[12]
A scientific formula is worth a thousand pictures[edit]
Computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra once remarked, «A picture may be worth a thousand words, a formula is worth a thousand pictures.»[12]
Spoof[edit]
The phrase has been spoofed by computer scientist John McCarthy, to make the opposite point: «As the Chinese say, 1001 words is worth more than a picture.»[13]
See also[edit]
- The Commissar Vanishes
- Ekphrasis
References[edit]
- ^ cf Just a Minute
- ^ «Speakers Give Sound Advice». Syracuse Post Standard. March 28, 1911. p. 18.
- ^ «Newspaper Copy That People Must Read, Advertising’s Relation to the Growth of Reading Ability—the Thunderstorm and «Yellow» Journalism—an Example of the Power of Comparison in Writing». Printers’ Ink, A Journal for Advertisers. April 20, 1911. p. 17.
- ^ «One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words». Piqua Leader-Dispatch. August 15, 1913. p. 2.
- ^ «Pictorial Magazine of the War (advertisement)». San Antonio Light. January 10, 1918. p. 6.
- ^ «The history of a picture’s worth». Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ Stevenson, Burton (1949). Stevenson’s book of proverbs, maxims and familiar phrases. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. p. 2611.
- Quoted from Ole Bjørn Rekdal (2014). «Academic Citation Practice: A Sinking Sheep?» (PDF). Portal: Libraries and the Academy. 14 (4): 575, 577, 578, 584. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2015.
- see also «The history of a picture’s worth». uregina.ca. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
contains pictures and transcriptions of the original ads
- ^ Watts, Alan. «The Way of Zen»
- ^ Woodson, Thomas T. (1966) Introduction to Engineering Design. McGraw-Hill Technology & Engineering – 434 pages
- ^ Janson, H.W.; Janson, Anthony (2001) [1962]. History of Art (6th ed.). Abrams Books. p. 613. ISBN 0810934469.
- ^ Turgenev, Ivan. «16». Fathers and Sons. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ a b Dijkstra, E.W. (July 1996), A first exploration of effective reasoning [EWD896]. (E.W. Dijkstra Archive, Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)
- ^ McCarthy, John (March 1, 2007). «The sayings of John McCarthy». Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
Sources[edit]
- The Dictionary of Clichés by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).
Further reading[edit]
- King, David (October 15, 1997). The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalin’s Russia (1 ed.). New York, NY: Metropolitan Books. ISBN 0805052941.
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1
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Универсальный англо-русский словарь > A picture is worth a thousand words.
См. также в других словарях:
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picture is worth a thousand words — See a picture is worth a thousand words … English idioms
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a picture is worth a thousand words — see ↑worth, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑picture a picture is worth a thousand words see ↑worth, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑thousand a picture is worth a thousand words see ↑ … Useful english dictionary
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one picture is worth ten thousand words — There is no foundation to the ascription of Chinese origin in quots. 1925 and 1927. 1921 Printers Ink 8 Dec. 96 One look is worth a thousand words. 1925 Washington Post 26 July (Amusements section) 2/2 ‘The picture is worth ten thousand words.’… … Proverbs new dictionary
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A picture is worth a thousand words — is a proverb that refers to the idea that complex stories can be described with just a single still image, or that an image may be more influential than a substantial amount of text. It also aptly characterizes the goals of visualization where… … Wikipedia
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a picture is worth a thousand words — a picture is easier to understand than a report or essay Instead of more talk, I ll draw thousand words a diagram. A picture is worth a thousand words … English idioms
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a picture is worth a thousand words — This expression means that a picture can give just as much information as a large amount of descriptive text. Look at the picture of the crash! A picture is worth a thousand words isn t it? … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
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a picture is worth a thousand words — A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description … The small dictionary of idiomes
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Thousand Words — is an independent feature film finance and production company founded by Jonah Smith and Palmer West in 2000. The name is obviously a take on the saying a picture is worth a thousand words .Credits* Religulous (2008) * Right At Your Door (2007) * … Wikipedia
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A Picture Is Worth a 1 — A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks Эпизод Гриффинов «A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks» Антонио Монатти манипулирует Крисом № эпизода … Википедия
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A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks — Infobox Television episode Title =A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks Series =Family Guy Caption =Chris is manipulated by art dealer Antonio Monatti. Season =2 Episode =11 Airdate =April 18, 2000 Production =2ACX07 Writer =Craig Hoffman Director… … Wikipedia
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A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks — Эпизод «Гриффинов» «A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Bucks» Антонио Монатти манипулирует Крисом № эпизода 2 сезон, 11 серия Код эпизода … Википедия
Meaning of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”
The proverbial sentence “A picture is worth a thousand words” is one of the famous and common proverbs. It means an artwork or an image can convey meanings more effectively than descriptions. This phrase is usually used in newspaper advertisements. It shows that graphic illustrations are more useful to express the clear thoughts hidden behind a notion rather than words. Most artists, especially in the modern arts, share their message through their art piece. These artworks bring various interpretations and are also hard to get it right. However, an image can undoubtedly give an important message or tell a story using colors, designs, themes, and more.
Origin of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”
This proverb seems to have witnessed a long evolution before reaching its present shape and showing its current meanings. It is derived from the philosophy of a Chinese philosopher, Confucius. However, the modern use of this phrase is attributed to Frederick R. Barnard.
In the early 20th century, this current phrase emerged in the United States introduced by Frederick R. Barnard. He published an article on December 1921 under the title, “One Look is Worth a Thousand Words” in Printer’s Ink. Barnard claims that the phrase has Japanese origin. He also has attributed it to a Japanese in his article.
Another version of this phrase was printed in Printer’s Ink in its March 1927 publication. This time the catalog suggested this phrase having Chinese origin as it says, “Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”
The current version of this phrase has been traced from an advertisement of, the San Antonio Light, newspaper in one of its publications of 1918 which appears as: “One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.”
Examples in Literature
Example #1
If – written by Gates David Ashworth and sung by Bread
If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you?
The words will never show, to you I’ve come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go?
there’s no one home but you, You’re all that’s left me too.
And when, my love, for life is running dry,
you come, and pour, yourself, on me.If a man could be two places at one time, I’d be with you.
tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I’d spend the end with you, and when the world was through,
Then one, by one, the stars would all go out
and you, and I, would simply fly away
The song is about the poet’s declaration of painting his beloved through his words. Using different literary devices, the poet has shown his love, which imaginarily paints his beloved’s face like a sea. The use of this saying in the very first line points to the dexterity of the poet and the effectiveness of this saying as compared to the words he used to paint the picture of his beloved.
Example #2
Worth A Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams
A journalist and an award-winning author, Stacy Hawkins Adams, wrote a book series, Jubilant Soul. Worth a Thousand Words is a sequel, which has the second half of the proverb. In spite of using the proverb partially, the title means “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The story revolves around the significant character, Indigo, a passionate young girl who wants to peruse her career as a photographer, but she is stuck in several obstacles. The marriage proposal from her long-time beloved, Brayn, is a hindrance to success and career. The protagonist keeps on challenging her strength and emotions as she tries to fight with her love life and future dreams. This proverb has been used metaphorically in the story.
Example #3
Thousand Words by Forrest Hiler
This phrasing goes as follows;
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
What about words?
Can they be forged into,
A thousand pictures.People paint a visual,
Long before we know them,
Who’s to know what picture,
Lurks behind the eye?
Are we worth thousand visuals?For we have all their pictures,
All their perfect words,
All their protective hugs,
All their loving kisses,
And all their thoughtful idea.
The poem “Thousand Words” show the use of the pictures. A picture is a crucial element of the proverb. Therefore, the whole saying has been used to interpret the effectiveness of pictures to convey a message. The comparison of words and pictures raise a new controversy whether the picture is worth words or words are worth pictures. However, we can conclude that the use of the proverb in this poem is an excellent way of writing poetry.
Examples in Sentences
Example #1: “A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures.”
Example #2: “Solomon stared at Mona Lisa’s portrait, feeling mesmerized, he said to himself, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words. Her smile, her eyes says it all.”
Example #3: “The manager asked the team to add more graphics for the presentation because a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Example #4: “Johnny’s reaction to their neighbor’s portrait was so weird. It is true what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Example #5: “You better draw a proper map with the directions. Your instructions are too fast to register in my mind. You know, a picture is worth a thousand words.”
P
a picture is worth a thousand words
also, a picture paints a thousand words
Meaning | Synonyms
- a picture conveys information more effectively than words
- a picture can tell a story just as well as many words
- using graphics can convey ideas more effectively than a large number of words
- graphic illustration conveys stronger messages than words
Example Sentences
- A good presentation should contain more of graphics and less of text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.
- In order to effectively convey the health hazards of smoking, a cigarette pack now contains a picture of diseased lungs, instead of just the statutory warning message. A picture is worth a thousand words.
- The newspaper report carried more pictures of the event than text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.
- Its easier to learn how a machine works from pictures rather than descriptions, since a picture is worth a thousand words.
- It would be better if you drew out a map with the direction to the place rather than just telling me. A picture is worth a thousand words.
- Jane’s reaction in the picture is so weird about her boss – someone truly said that a picture paints a thousand words.
- Such a beautiful portrait of a little girl – represents how a picture paints a thousand words.
Origin
This phrase originated in America in the early 1900s. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, an advertising executive. However, other references to its origin also exist.
Henrik Ibsen first said:
“A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”
After he died in 1906 the phrase was plagiarised and rephrased into the present form we know today.
In March 1911, the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a banquet to discuss journalism and advertising. In an article on The Post-Standard covering this event, the author mentioned Tess Flanders as saying: “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”
A similar phrase, “One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words”, appears in a 1913 newspaper advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio.
The most likely origin and also the oldest printed record of the phrase in its exact form is believed to be in 1918 in an American newspaper, The San Antonio Light, which first published it in an advertisement for the paper itself, which reads:
One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War
Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.
Colour, Numbers, Proverb, Words
Пословицы на английском языке помогут лучше понять народ, который их придумал, а ещё сделают вашу речь живее и богаче.
1. The squeaky wheel gets the grease
- Перевод: смазывают колесо, которое скрипит.
- Значение: вы не получите помощи, если будете молча терпеть неудобства, об услугах нужно попросить.
- Аналог в русском языке: под лежачий камень вода не течёт.
Это американская пословица. Авторство приписывается юмористу Джошу Биллингсу, однако фактами это не подтверждено. Можно говорить только о времени появления фразы — вторая половина XIX века.
2. Actions speak louder than words
- Перевод: действия говорят громче слов.
- Значение: то, что вы делаете, важнее того, что вы говорите.
- Аналог в русском языке: судят не по словам, а по делам.
Считается, что эта фраза появилась в XVII веке. В нынешнем виде она была впервые использована Авраамом Линкольном в 1856 году.
3. A picture is worth a thousand words
- Перевод: изображение стоит тысячи слов.
- Значение: поверить во что-то легче, если увидеть это собственными глазами, а не довольствоваться чужими рассказами.
- Аналог в русском языке: лучше один раз увидеть, чем сто раз услышать.
Поговорку начали активно использовать в Америке в 1920-х годах. А первое упоминание, зафиксированное в письменных источниках, относится к 1911 году, когда эту фразу озвучил редактор одной из газет в Сиракузском рекламном мужском клубе.
4. A watched pot never boils
- Перевод: если постоянно смотреть на чайник, он никогда не закипит.
- Значение: если какой-то процесс требует времени, не нужно постоянно проверять, завершился ли он, просто подождите.
Фразу ввёл в обиход Бенджамин Франклин. Он использует её в докладе, опубликованном в 1785 году, со ссылкой на Бедного Ричарда. Примечательно, что под этим псевдонимом писал сам Франклин.
5. A bad workman blames his tools
- Перевод: плохой работник винит в неудачах свой инструмент.
- Значение: человек, плохо что-то умеющий, ищет причины своих неудач где угодно, только не в самом себе.
- Аналог в русском языке: плохому танцору ноги мешают.
Вероятнее всего, поговорка пришла в английский язык из французского: первое упоминание фразы в источниках из Франции встречается в XIII веке, на английском языке — только в XVII веке.
6. A bird may be known by its song
- Перевод: птицу можно узнать по тому, как она поёт.
- Значение: многое о человеке можно понять по тому, что он говорит и делает.
- Аналог в русском языке: птица видна по полёту.
О происхождении этой пословицы известно мало, можно только сказать, что у неё есть более длинный вариант, который не оставляет вариантов для трактовки: «A bird is known by its song, a man by his words» («Птицу можно узнать по тому, как она поёт, человека — по тому, что он говорит»).
7. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink it
- Перевод: ты можешь привести лошадь к воде, но не можешь заставить её пить.
- Значение: не всего можно добиться силой, другие всё равно будут делать то, что хотят.
Это одна из самых старых английских пословиц, которая используется до сих пор. Первое упоминание датируется 1175 годом.
8. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
- Перевод: если ты в Риме, веди себя как римлянин.
- Значение: попадая в новое место или ситуацию, присмотрись, как ведёт себя большинство, и поступай так же.
- Аналог в русском языке: в чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят.
Выражение впервые встречается в письме христианского святого Аврелия Августина в 390 году. Он писал примерно следующее: «Когда я в Риме, я пощусь по субботам, но в Милане я этого не делаю. Всегда следуйте обычаям той церкви, которую посещаете, если не хотите скандала».
9. There is no time like the present
- Перевод: нет времени лучше, чем настоящее.
- Значение: не стоит ждать подходящего момента, делай то, что нужно, прямо сейчас.
- Аналоги в русском языке: не откладывай на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня; не жди у моря погоды.
Впервые эта пословица была записана в 1562 году. Позднее один из составителей сборника поговорок Джон Траслер развернул это выражение до «No time like the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may interrupt you at a future time», что означает «Нет времени лучше, чем настоящее, тысяча непредвиденных обстоятельств может помешать вам в будущем». Но прижился лаконичный вариант.
10. There is no such thing as a free lunch
- Перевод: нет такого понятия, как бесплатный обед.
- Значение: за всё нужно платить, и если вы сейчас не отдали деньги, позднее, возможно, придётся попрощаться с чем-то более ценным.
- Аналог в русском языке: бесплатный сыр бывает только в мышеловке.
В середине XIX века в Великобритании и США под объявления о бесплатных обедах маскировалась реклама, которая предполагала иные траты. Например, в одном из салунов в Милуоки накормить «бесплатно» обещали тех, кто купит сигару или напиток. Разумеется, затраты на поданные блюда были включены в стоимость алкоголя или сигары. Из-за таких объявлений некоторые заведения были привлечены к ответственности за недобросовестную рекламу.
11. The pen is mightier than the sword
- Перевод: перо сильнее меча.
- Значение: правильные слова убедительнее физической силы; словами можно больно ранить.
- Аналог в русском языке: не ножа бойся — языка.
Это точная цитата из пьесы Эдварда Бульвера-Литтона «Ришелье, или Заговор», написанной в 1839 году. Однако в других формулировках эта мысль звучала ранее у Джорджа Ветстоуна и Уильяма Шекспира.
12. Practice makes perfect
- Перевод: практика приводит к совершенству.
- Значение: чем больше тренируешься, тем лучше получается.
- Аналог в русском языке: повторение — мать учения.
Первые упоминания пословицы относятся к середине XVI века. Она переведена на английский с латинского.
13. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
- Перевод: люди, которые живут в стеклянных домах, не должны кидаться камнями.
- Значение: не стоит осуждать и критиковать, если сам не совершенен.
- Аналог в русском языке: в своём глазу бревно не видит, в чужом соринку замечает.
Выражение в такой формулировке встречается в поэме Джеффри Чосера «Троил и Крессида», написанной в конце XIV века. Фраза прижилась и довольно часто используется до сих пор.
14. God helps those who help themselves
- Перевод: бог помогает тем, кто помогает себе сам.
- Значение: в сложной ситуации не стоит надеяться на чудо, нужно действовать, чтобы всё изменить.
- Аналог в русском языке: на бога надейся, а сам не плошай.
Пословица использовалась ещё в Древней Греции. Иногда её источником ошибочно называют Библию, хотя в ней такая фраза дословно не встречается. Напротив, многие христиане критикуют это выражение, как противоречащее догмам.
15. Don’t put too many irons in the fire
- Перевод: не клади слишком много угля в огонь.
- Значение: не бери на себя слишком много, сфокусируйся на чём-то одном.
Выражение пришло из кузнечных мастерских. Оно связано с работой подмастерья, чьей задачей было переставлять изделия с помощью кузнечных щипцов из огня на наковальню. И если в печи оказывалось слишком много щипцов, это делало работу неэффективной, так как кузнец не мог работать над несколькими предметами одновременно.
16. Birds of a feather flock together
- Перевод: птицы собираются в стаю по оперенью.
- Значение: люди с общими интересами легко сближаются.
- Аналог в русском языке: рыбак рыбака видит издалека.
Пословица используется с середины XVI века. В литературе впервые упомянута Уильямом Тёрнером в The Rescuing of Romish Fox.
17. Beggars can’t be choosers
- Перевод: нищие не могут выбирать.
- Значение: в трудной ситуации не стоит отказываться от любой помощи.
- Аналог в русском языке: дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят.
Эта фраза впервые записана поэтом и драматургом Джоном Хейвудом в XVI веке. Она была адресована бедному населению и призывала благодарить за любую помощь и поддержку.
18. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
- Перевод: щепотка «до» стоит пуда «после».
- Значение: предотвратить легче, чем устранять последствия.
- Аналог в русском языке: дорога ложка к обеду.
В 1736 году Бенджамин Франклин на встрече с пожарными в Филадельфии произнёс эту фразу, предупреждая о необходимости защищаться от стихийных бедствий.
19. An apple a day keeps the doctor away
- Перевод: яблоко в день, и доктор не понадобится.
- Значение: буквальное.
Выражение широко распространилось после публикации в уэльском журнале «Заметки и запросы» в 1866 году пословицы из Пембрукшира: «Съешьте яблоко перед сном, и вам не за что будет платить доктору».
20. A leopard cannot change its spots
- Перевод: леопард не может сменить свои пятна.
- Значение: люди не меняются.
- Аналог в русском языке: горбатого могила исправит.
Выражение позаимствовано из Библии. В Книге пророка Иеремии написано: «Может ли ефиоплянин переменить кожу свою и леопард — пятна свои? Так и вы можете ли делать доброе, привыкнув делать злое?»
21. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
- Перевод: старую собаку новым трюкам не научишь.
- Значение: трудно отучить кого-то от старых привычек.
- Аналог в русском языке: горбатого могила исправит.
Одна из старейших пословиц в английском языке, в письменных источниках впервые упоминается в XVI веке.
22. Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself
- Перевод: не стоит держать собаку и лаять при этом самому.
- Значение: не нужно платить кому-то за работу, которую всё равно придётся делать самому.
Выражение впервые встречается в произведении Брайана Милбанка Philotimus: the Warre Betwixt Nature and Fortune в 1583 году. Оно звучит из уст философа и врача Филотима, который жил в IV веке в Греции.
23. Discretion is the better part of valour
- Перевод: благоразумие — лучшая часть доблести.
- Значение: прежде чем что-то сделать, стоит как следует подумать, стоит ли оно того.
- Аналог в русском языке: семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь.
Фразу «The better part of valour is discretion» произносит сэр Джон Фальстаф в первой части пьесы Уильяма Шекспира «Генрих IV».
24. Children should be seen and not heard
- Перевод: детей должно быть видно, но не слышно.
- Значение: буквальное.
Это правило воспитания было принято в Англии времён правления королевы Виктории. Однако первые его упоминания относятся к 1450 году.
25. Charity begins at home
- Перевод: благотворительность начинается дома.
- Значение: прежде чем заботиться о других, нужно позаботиться о себе и своей семье.
Иногда источником фразы ошибочно называют Библию. На самом деле впервые выражение в такой формулировке встречается у богослова Джона Уиклифа в конце XIV века. Хотя в первом послании Павла к Тимофею содержится весьма схожая мысль: «А если у вдовы есть дети или внуки, пусть те научатся проявлять свою набожность прежде всего по отношению к своим домашним и воздавать должной заботой родителям и дедам».
26. Curiosity killed the cat
- Перевод: любопытство убило кота.
- Значение: не стоит совать нос не в свои дела.
- Аналог в русском языке: любопытной Варваре на базаре нос оторвали.
Первоначально выражение звучало так: «Care killed the cat». Причём care означало не заботу, а грусть или печаль. В такой версии пословица просуществовала до конца XIX века и лишь после этого приобрела современный вид. Впрочем, любопытство никогда не поощрялось, поэтому такая трансформация выглядит логичной.
27. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness
- Перевод: лучше зажечь свечу, чем проклинать темноту.
- Значение: вместо того чтобы винить обстоятельства, нужно что-то сделать, чтобы их изменить.
Фраза приписывается Джону Кеннеди, Элеоноре Рузвельт и даже китайскому народу, однако впервые она звучит в собрании проповедей Уильяма Уоткинсона, опубликованном в 1907 году.
28. A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind horse
- Перевод: кивать слепой лошади — то же самое, что ей подмигивать.
- Значение: человеку, который не готов воспринимать информацию, её никак не донести.
- Аналог в русском языке: дураку что в лоб, что по лбу.
Фраза появилась в Англии в XVI веке. Сейчас вместо лошади в поговорке может оказаться летучая мышь: «A nod is as good as a wink to a blind bat». В таком виде выражение было использовано в британском скетч-сериале «Летающий цирк Монти Пайтона».
29. Great minds think alike
- Перевод: великие умы мыслят одинаково.
- Значение: люди с одинаковыми умственными способностями могут одновременно додуматься до одного и того же.
- Аналог в русском языке: у дураков мысли сходятся.
Эта формулировка фразы впервые была зафиксирована в 1816 году в англоязычной биографии Евдокии Лопухиной, первой супруги Петра I. Однако мысль эта встречалась и ранее.
30. A golden key can open any door
- Перевод: золотой ключик может открыть любую дверь.
- Значение: за деньги можно купить что угодно.
Эта поговорка должна быть такой же старой, как и сами деньги. Но записал её впервые в 1580 году английский драматург Джон Лилли.
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A picture is worth a thousand words — A great photo can tell a job seeker a lot about the workplace.
A picture is worth a thousand words and can go a long way to help explain a problem.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so if you do not believe, have a look at the moving picture.
A picture is worth a thousand words, therefore, get a photograph of the accident site to be presented as evidence.
Картинка стоит тысячи слов, поэтому фотографии с места аварии должны быть представлены в качестве доказательства.
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What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?
As illustrated above, this phrase is used to express that it can be easier to show something in a picture than to describe it by speaking words or using the written word. More specifically, it’s saying that often one single picture can more effectively convey something, or can depict something more vividly and clearly, than a lot of words—and can certainly do so faster. That’s why you may also hear or see the phrase as one picture is worth a thousand words. (It is also often written with a conjunction as a picture’s worth a thousand words.)
For example, it’s often easier to understand how to put a piece of furniture together by looking at pictures or illustrations, or even watching a video, of the necessary steps than it is to read paragraphs of instructions in a manual. Likewise, it’s typically much simpler and quicker to figure out how to get from point A to point B by looking at a map than it is listening to someone tell you or reading about all the turns to make and landmarks to be on the lookout for on your drive.
The History of the Expression
Ironically, it’s going to take quite a few words to explain the etymology of the common phrase. As is often the case with both idioms and proverbs in general, the exact origin of this expression isn’t known.
Similar expressions have been in use since at least the 1700s. In particular, it appears phrases using is worth a thousand words or is worth ten thousand words were common in the 18th and 19th century. For example, the similar phrase one timely deed is worth ten thousand words appeared in The Works of Mr. James Thomson, which is thought to have been originally published some time in the 1760s. (The playwright Henrick Ibsen is credited as saying something very similar in the late 19th century: “A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”) Other phrases that can be traced to the 1800s convey that a tear is worth ten thousand words and that a well-understood fact is worth more than a thousand words.
The specific idea that a picture is worth a thousand, or ten thousand, words is thought by some researchers to have first appeared in print in 1862, in the novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev. A character in the book says: “The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.”
However, there’s evidence that others expressed this earlier, and even much earlier. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A good sketch is better than a long speech,” while Leonardo da Vinci wrote that a poet would be “overcome by sleep and hunger before [being able to] describe with words what a painter is able to [depict] in an instant.”
Fast forward to the early 20th century, to 1911 exactly, when the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a journalism banquet. In an article in the Syracuse, New York, newspaper The Post-Standard about the event, the journalist quotes a speaker, Tess Flanders, as saying, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Others credit the quote to that event but to newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane. Whoever said it, their words were clearly very similar to the expression we know and use today, although not exactly the same.
Shortly after, in 1913, an advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio, used the phrase one look is worth a thousand words.
It’s possible that the exact expression a picture is worth a thousand words first appeared in print in 1918: A newspaper advertisement for the San Antonio Light said:
“One of the Nation’s Greatest Editors Says:
One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War
Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm
reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.”
Still, credit for modern use of the phrase is usually given to Frederick R. Barnard (or Fred R. Barnard), who wrote the phrase in the advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink (sometimes incorrectly written as Printer’s Ink) to promote the use of images in advertisements on the sides of streetcars. In one ad, Barnard called the phrase a Chinese proverb (he later wrote that it was said by a Japanese philosopher), though he didn’t have proof of such an origin. Because of this, sometimes the expression is incorrectly attributed to Confucius. In the same publication, around the same time period, the phrase one look is worth a thousand words can be found.
What Are Idioms and Proverbs?
A picture is worth a thousand words is considered both an idiom and a proverb. An idiom is an expression with an intended meaning that typically can’t fully be understood just by looking at the individual words that comprise it. Idioms have figurative rather than literal meanings. Even if you’ve never heard the term idiom, you have most likely heard many idiomatic expressions. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today:
You’re in hot water.
His boss gave him the ax.
It’s time to face the music.
You’ve hit the nail on the head.If you took the first example literally, you’d think it was describing a person standing in a bathtub full of hot water, perhaps. But the expression is actually used to describe a person who’s in trouble. Likewise, rather than literally being handed a tool for chopping wood, if you get the ax from your boss, it means you’re getting fired. It’s time to face the music means that it’s time to come to terms with the consequences of your actions. And when someone has hit the nail on the head, they’ve gotten an answer exactly right or done something exactly as it should have been done.
Although you might be able to understand the expression a picture is worth a thousand words just by looking at the words that comprise it, if you were to take it purely literally, you’d understand it to mean that a picture is worth or is the same as/equivalent to exactly one thousand words. Of course, now you know that like other idioms, the phrase is used more figuratively, to convey the notion that an image can often more effectively and more succinctly say something than lots of words can (with lots not being defined as a specific number).
Proverbs are short, common phrases or sayings that impart advice or share a universal truth. Interestingly, some people debate the truth of the above statement, with many arguing that the use of both images and words is the best way to get something across. Proverbs are also called adages, aphorisms, and maxims. Here are some additional examples of well-known proverbs:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Blood is thicker than water.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.Discover many more idioms and proverbs here.<H2>Summary<H2>
The idiomatic and proverbial expression a picture is worth a thousand words is used to convey that a picture, or image, or graphic illustration may better convey or describe something than many written or spoken words—that it may be easier, and much faster, to just show someone something than to tell them about it. Although its exact origins are unknown, the phrase and the idea it conveys have been around, and remained popular, for quite some time.
Maggie Cramer
For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to words and language, as a writer, editor, and communications specialist and as a language arts educator. I’m excited to explore all things English with you and The Word Counter!
I currently reside in Asheville, North Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary English Education from the University of Florida.
You can find me on LinkedIn, or access my online portfolio here!
a picture is worth a thousand words
A single picture can express something more clearly, vividly, or succinctly than a large amount of words can. I know I’m doing a bad job of capturing the scene by describing it, so just look at this picture from their website—a picture is worth a thousand words, isn’t it? You try to have characters give too much exposition. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, so use the images in your film to tell its story as much as possible. Ah, I’m glad she sent a screenshot—a picture is worth a thousand words when you’re trying to troubleshoot something.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
picture is worth a thousand words
Prov. Pictures convey information more efficiently and effectively than words do. It’s much easier to learn how machines work by looking at pictures, rather than by hearing someone describe them. A picture is worth a thousand words. The newspaper editor decided to devote more space to photographs of the disaster than to text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- one picture is worth a thousand words
- one picture paints a thousand words
- picture is worth a thousand words, one
- 1000
- a picture is worth a thousand words
- a picture paints a thousand words
- remember (something) like it was yesterday
- throw (something) into sharp relief
- throw into sharp relief
- put (something) into sharp relief
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to send you a picture of what they are trying to explain? You could always use the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying.
“A picture is worth a thousand words” means that images tell a better story than words. By using images, you can convey your message in a visual representation that impacts others.
Example Usage
“Sandra spent an hour telling me about her vacation. I didn’t realize how beautiful the place was until I saw her pictures. It’s true what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words.”
“A picture is worth a thousand words, and that picture has nothing good to say for itself.”
“Don’t you know that a picture is worth a thousand words? There’s no way you can deny involvement after they caught you on camera like that.”
Origin
The origin of the proverbial saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” comes from a reinterpretation of previous expressions in the early 1800s. The Works of Mr. James Thomson, published in 1802 has the earliest rendition of the phrase as the following.
“One timely deed is worth ten thousand words”
The phrase also appears in the play, “The Trust: A Comedy, in Five Acts,” published in 1808, where it reads.
“That tear, good girl, is worth ten thousand words.”
The American Journal of Education also published an earlier rendition of the saying in 1858.
“One fact well understood by observation and well-guided development is worth a thousand times more than a thousand words.”
However, the saying gained prominence in its modern form in America in the early 20th century.
Frederick R. Barnard published a column titled “One look is worth a thousand words” in the industry magazine “Printer’s Ink” in December 1921. Barnard claims the saying has Japanese origins, and Printers ink would later publish the phrase as the following.
“Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”
Phrases Similar to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
- Stop talking and send me a picture.
- Pics, or it didn’t happen.
Phrases Opposite to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
- Words mean nothing.
- Images are easy to falsify.
What is the Correct Saying?
- A picture is worth a thousand words.
- A picture says a thousand words.
Ways People May Say It Incorrectly
The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” doesn’t mean that a picture contains a thousand words of information. It means that images are more valuable than words when explaining concepts of events. So, you wouldn’t use the phrase when you’re referring to the video or other media formats, only images.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase It
You can use “a picture is worth a thousand words” in several social and professional situations. For instance, you could request someone to send you a picture of an item you’re thinking about buying. You can also use the phrase to tell someone that a lot is going on in a specific image.
The phrase suits social and professional use. You could use it at work when you’re telling a supplier to stop talking about a product and send you a picture so you can get a visual image. You could use it at home to tell someone to send you a picture of their vacation so you can get an idea of their trip.