clogs to clogs in three generations

English

Etymology

From the common use of clogs by manual workers in north England and following the style of similar phrases which have been attested since 1700.[1] The particular phrasing is perhaps of Lancashire origin.[1] Compare shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

Proverb

clogs to clogs in three generations

(UK) Wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts through the third (grandchild's) generation.

Synonyms

shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations
(Chinese origin) wealth does not survive three generations
(Chinese origin) sandals to sandals in three generations
(Japanese origin) the third generation ruins the house
(Italian origin) from stables to stars to stables
(Australian origin) from goon to Grange to goon

Translations

wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts

Chinese:
Mandarin: 富不過三代／富不过三代
Finnish: minkä yksi sukupolvi rakentaa, sen toinen kasvattaa ja kolmas hävittää
German: Erwerben, Vererben, Verderben (earn it, bequeath it, spoil it)

References

John Simpson; Jennifer Speake, editors (2008), “From CLOGS to clogs is only three generations”, in The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, fifth paperback edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press

[ODP-1] John Simpson; Jennifer Speake, editors (2008), “From CLOGS to clogs is only three generations”, in The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, fifth paperback edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press