- English translation
"Were you always like this, or did you pick it up somewhere?" She answered, "It's always been my way; I've lived with it my whole life."
- Literal wording
"Is it your habit, or did you buy it?" She said: "It's my habit, and my whole life I've been in it."
- Meaning and lesson
The exchange stages a short interrogation of a woman about one of her traits; the feminine verb and pronoun forms mark the addressee, so applying it to a man changes the grammar. The questioner asks whether the trait is long habit or recently acquired, as if purchased. She replies it has been hers all her life.
The saying is aimed at a blameworthy disposition that a person was raised with. It marks the fault as deeply rooted, part of the character formed from early life, rather than something newly taken on or picked up by chance from outside.
- When it is used
Apply it when pointing out that someone's bad trait has been with them since they grew up, not acquired lately. It concerns faults, so it does not fit discussions of admirable habits or newly learned behavior.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: "Were you always like this, or did you pick it up somewhere?" She answered, "It's always been my way; I've lived with it my whole life."