Meaning
'Howdy an tenky bruk nuh square' — saying 'howdy' (hello) and 'thank you' breaks no squares, that is, courtesy costs nothing and causes no harm. Good manners and politeness never do any damage, the proverb teaches, so there is never a reason not to greet people and show gratitude. It gently upholds the value of civility and 'broughtupsy', reminding that a greeting and a word of thanks take nothing from you and only smooth the way, doing good where they can never do harm.
Examples
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Always greet di people dem; howdy an tenky bruk nuh square.
Always greet people; being polite costs nothing.
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Manners nah go hurt yuh — howdy an tenky bruk nuh square.
Manners won't hurt you — courtesy breaks no squares.
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Seh good mawnin an tank yuh; howdy an tenky bruk nuh square.
Say good morning and thank you; politeness never causes harm.
Origin
'Howdy' (how-d'ye, a greeting) and 'tenky' (thank you) stand for basic courtesy; 'bruk nuh square' — breaks no square — means it damages nothing, so manners cost you nothing.
How it’s used
A reminder that politeness and greetings are always worth it and never do harm.