#142.A.Penny.Saved.Is.A.Penny.Earned

Summary

In this episode of *The Village Idiom* podcast, the hosts explore the origins of the saying 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' They reveal how the phrase, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, was actually a misquote from his *Poor Richard's Almanack*. The hosts dive into Franklin's lesser-known writings, highlighting how historical misconceptions can shape idioms over time. The episode also features fun trivia games and playful discussions about idioms, including their cultural significance and the historical figures tied to them. Listeners are entertained with humor, trivia, and a deeper look into the evolution of sayings.

Takeaways

• 😀 The idiom 'a penny saved is a penny earned' is often mistakenly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, although he never wrote those exact words.
• 😀 Benjamin Franklin’s actual quote from *Poor Richard's Almanac* is 'a penny saved is two pence clear.'
• 😀 The phrase 'a penny saved is a penny earned' first appeared on a one-cent coin issued around 1863, featuring Franklin's image and solidifying the misattribution.
• 😀 The idiom 'a penny saved is a penny earned' reflects the idea of saving money rather than spending it, promoting financial prudence.
• 😀 The concept of not wasting money aligns with the sentiment of 'a penny saved is a penny earned,' encouraging people to resist the urge to spend unnecessarily.
• 😀 There’s a cultural concept of money 'burning a hole in your pocket,' where people feel compelled to spend money as soon as they have it.
• 😀 The discussion acknowledges that while saving is important, money should be used wisely, such as investing it to make more money rather than just letting it sit idle.
• 😀 The hosts humorously explore the overlap between idiomatic phrases and wordplay, using games like 'Riddling' to combine trivia with idiomatic expression.
• 😀 The idiom 'a penny saved is a penny earned' is part of a larger tradition of common wisdom about frugality and financial responsibility.
• 😀 The segment includes light-hearted, offbeat trivia and puzzle games, with the hosts engaging in witty exchanges about wordplay, such as connecting historical figures to idioms.
• 😀 The podcast encourages audience participation with social media links, allowing listeners to share answers and engage with the hosts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Q & A

What is the origin of the phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned'?

The phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned' is commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but it actually originated from a coin issued in the 1860s, which had Franklin's image on one side and the phrase on the other.

What was Benjamin Franklin's actual version of the phrase in *Poor Richard's Almanack*?

Benjamin Franklin's actual version of the phrase was 'A penny saved is two pence clear,' which differs from the popular modern version.

How did the phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned' become associated with Benjamin Franklin?

The phrase became associated with Franklin due to a 1860s coin bearing his image and the version of the phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned,' which led to its attribution to him.

Why is Franklin sometimes credited with phrases he didn't say?

Franklin was a prolific writer and thinker, and many of his popular ideas or sentiments have been misattributed to him over time, making it difficult to separate the true quotes from the apocryphal ones.

What is the significance of the 1860s coin in the context of this idiom?

The 1860s coin featuring Benjamin Franklin's image and the phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned' played a key role in cementing the modern version of the idiom, despite it not being Franklin's original words.

What is the meaning behind the idiom 'A penny saved is a penny earned'?

The idiom suggests that saving money is just as valuable as earning it, encouraging people to avoid unnecessary spending and manage their finances wisely.

What does the idiom 'burning a hole in your pocket' mean?

The phrase 'burning a hole in your pocket' refers to the feeling of needing to spend money as soon as it is obtained, rather than saving or investing it.

How does the idiom 'A penny saved is a penny earned' relate to personal finance?

The idiom promotes the idea of saving money and being cautious with expenditures. It highlights the importance of saving money, even if it seems small, as it can add up over time.

What do the hosts mean by 'a penny saved is a penny burned'?

'A penny saved is a penny burned' is a playful twist on the original idiom, suggesting that saving money can be just as futile if it is not put to productive use, such as earning or investing it.

How does the segment on idioms relate to the game 'Riddling'?

The segment on idioms ties into the 'Riddling' game by using wordplay and overlapping meanings or sounds to challenge the listeners with trivia-style puzzles that also relate to the idioms discussed in the show.