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used to imply that a daughter's worth lies only in her ability to get married and that she is a burden on her family if she remains unmarried
What is the origin of the proverb "daughters and dead fish are not keeping wares" and when to use it?
The origin of the proverb "daughters and dead fish are not keeping wares" comes from old European beliefs that a daughter's value was primarily seen in her ability to marry, and if she remained unmarried, she became a burden to her family. It suggests that daughters, like dead fish, were seen as useless or not beneficial for the family's work or business. In the past, women were often expected to focus on domestic life, and marriage was considered the primary way to ensure a woman's usefulness or worth. Today, this proverb is viewed as outdated and sexist, as it reflects a narrow and limiting view of women’s roles in society.
