One finger cyaan ketch louse

proverb one FING-ga cyaan ketch LOUSE wʌn ˈfɪŋɡa kjaːn kɛtʃ laʊs

Also spelled one-finger-cyaan-ketch-louse, one finger can't catch lice

Meaning

You cannot get certain things done alone — some tasks need cooperation. Just as you need two fingers pressed together to catch and crush a louse, many goals need people working together. A proverb praising teamwork and unity, and a gentle reminder that no one succeeds entirely by themselves.

Examples

  • Wi haffi work together pon dis — one finger cyaan ketch louse.

    We have to work together on this — you can't do it alone.

  • Him try do it solo an fail; one finger cyaan ketch louse.

    He tried to do it solo and failed; some things need cooperation.

Origin

A traditional proverb; one finger alone cannot catch a louse. See [[fi-wi]], [[likkle-axe-cut-down-big-tree]].

How it’s used

Some things need cooperation; praises unity/teamwork. See [[fi-wi]], [[bredrin]].