i know it's what parents tell their children , (well they did when I was young), but what exactly is the meaning behind the phrase.
This one bugged me for years !!!
2006-09-02 00:02:41 · 16 answers · asked by ec_sincity 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The term "waste not want not" probably originates in Yorkshire and means exactly what it says, never wasting anything results in never wanting anything. For example, only serve enough food at a meal that you know will easily be eaten, leaving no waste. Do not spend your hard earned cash on things you do not really need or want. Think before spending - "waste not want not".
2006-09-02 00:13:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 0⤋
I'm older too, 54 here, and have heard that all my life. I figured it meant if you throw something away, like say some speakers or maybe an old tv set, then buy a new one, then the new ones go bad, then you wish you would have kept the old ones for a back up, because they always work. So I kept my old stereo amplifier, that I bought for $39.00 in 1969, and sure enough, my $5000.00 dollar SONY went out last year, one month after the warrantee expired, so I dug out my old $39.00 Realistic amp out of the garage, and guess what? It sounds awesome!!! So waste not, want not- well I guess I did SOMETHING right in my life, we won't bring up all the other stuff.
2006-09-02 00:16:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Waste Not Want Not
2016-10-02 03:57:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For example: When you put food on your plate, only start with small portions so you can finish them, you can always go back later for seconds. If you put too much food on your plate and don't eat it that will be wasted.
2006-09-02 00:06:07 · answer #4 · answered by blueyes2001 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The meaning is that you shouls not waste anything.
The elaborate meaqning is that if you do not waste anything today you may not want for something on a later day. Basically if u dont waste yo will have everything.
2006-09-02 02:25:33 · answer #5 · answered by lovelylongrana 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It you don't waste then you wont want for anything later (because you have conserved it)
2006-09-02 00:04:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It means that if you make the most of everything then you will never be left wanting for more.
i.e eat ALL of your dinner and you won't be hungry later!
or save your pennies and they will EVENTUALLY turn into pounds!
2006-09-02 00:04:50 · answer #7 · answered by zebra 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It means if you don't eat your dinner (waste it), then you don't obviously want it.
Some people say waste not want not, when somebody don't eat their food, so they eat it instead!
2006-09-02 00:05:45 · answer #8 · answered by Crystal 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i never waste anything .........which is why i can't move in my Attic.......but i don't want for anything either because i can usually find it somewhere in the house
2006-09-02 00:13:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
dont waste things you may need later on like money, water, electricity, paper etc
2006-09-02 00:10:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋