- English translation
As idle as the Sultan's loafers, who won't even move out of the sun into the shade unless they're given a thrashing.
- Literal wording
Like the Sultan's idlers: one gets up from the sun to the shade with a beating.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying describes laziness so deep that a person will not move even to help themselves. Shifting from scorching sun into cool shade is effortless and plainly good for them, yet they stay put until forced by a round of blows, not merely a push.
The Sultan's idlers were poor people unable to work whose upkeep the ruler provided, so the image mocks dependence as well as laziness. It reflects that historical outlook; applying it to people who genuinely cannot work is unfair and may cause offence.
- When it is used
Use it to tease or criticise someone whose idleness is extreme, especially someone who will not take a small, obviously beneficial step unless pushed hard. It is pointed and mocking, so suits informal talk among familiar people, and should never target people who genuinely cannot work.
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- Colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: As idle as the Sultan's loafers, who won't even move out of the sun into the shade unless they're given a thrashing.