🍺 Small Beer/Small Potatoes 🥔
Definition:
“Small beer” and “small potatoes” both refer to something trivial or of little importance.
Origins:
-
Small Beer: This phrase dates back to the British Medieval period and refers to beer with a low alcohol content, often consumed as a safer alternative to water.
- Literary Example: Shakespeare himself was fond of the term, using it in several plays, such as “Henry IV, Part 2” and “Othello.”
-
Small Potatoes: This American idiom likens something of little value or worth to a poor crop. Early citations include Davy Crockett’s “Exploits and Adventures in Texas” (1836), validating its roots in American vernacular.
Synonyms:
- Trivial matter
- Minor detail
- Insignificant affair
Antonyms:
- Big deal
- Major issue
- Significant matter
Recommended Literature & Media:
- Books:
- “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare
- “Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln” by James C. Humes
- Songs:
- “Trivial Matters” by The Shrinks
- “Small Things” by Blink-182
- Movies:
- “Minority Report” (for the play on ‘minor’)
- “A Bug’s Life” (a small protagonist in a big world)
Quotes:
- “These so-called ‘problems’ are small beer compared to the great challenges we’ve faced.” - Unknown
- “Don’t get bogged down by small potatoes when the whole garden awaits.” - Wisdom of Aunt Mabel
Related Terms:
- “Drops in the ocean”
- “Chopped liver”
- “A hill of beans”
Proverbs:
- “Don’t cry over spilt milk.” (Don’t worry about small, insignificant matters.)
- “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.” (Even small things can have great potential, contrasting the idea of smallness.)
Fun Facts:
- Shakespeare’s extensive use of idioms has popularized many phrases we use today.
- Small beer was a staple for children in European households due to its lower alcohol level, showing how necessities of the past turn into today’s idioms.
- Small potatoes in culinary terms refer to new or baby potatoes, but idiomatically, they’re far from gourmet.
Inspirational Tidbit:
Wasting time on “small beer” can rob you of your focus on life’s richer brews. Strive to savor the complexities and subtleties.
Farewell Thought:
When life serves you small beer and small potatoes, remember to turn them into a hearty feast for your soul. Keep perspective and prioritize what truly matters.
