According to the Alcover-Moll (DCVB), the expression "eres más tonto que una alpargata" means "to be short of understanding." We all know that an alpargata is a type of "footwear with a braided hemp sole and an upper made of grain or thick cloth, generally with two grains that are tied at the ankle" (Dictionary of the Institute of Catalan Studies, DIEC). But why is a blessing attributed to alpargatas? This fact should not surprise us if we consider that the words "corto," "bendito," or "nonsense" are often associated with clothing: being "more stupid than a shoe" or being "shorter than a vest sleeve."

The Instagram profile @capdefavaamborelles has compiled a dictionary with more than 500 traditional sayings from the Balearic Islands, a heritage element that is gradually being lost over the years. They are an oral heritage that goes beyond folk songs and stories. Traditional sayings, passed down by word of mouth over generations, are a faithful reflection of the way of life and understanding of the world of peasants and sailors. They are short, often ingenious fragments that condense into a few words what is sometimes difficult to convey in a lengthy discourse.