Many a little makes a mickle

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Meaning

Many small amounts or efforts, accumulated patiently, eventually make a substantial whole. The title preserves the historically meaningful form. 'Many a mickle makes a muckle' is a well-known later reshaping based on the mistaken idea that mickle means little. Regional use: Scots and wider English proverbial use.

Origin

William Camden printed 'Many a little makes a mickle' in 1614. In older English and Scots, 'mickle' and 'muckle' both mean a large amount, so the later form 'many a mickle makes a muckle' reverses the proverb's logic rather than preserving its original wording. That reshaped version became famous through its association with George Washington.

Research Sources

  1. Many a little makes a mickle Phrase Finder
  2. Many a Mickle Makes a Muckle George Washington's Mount Vernon Library

Variants

  • Many littles make a mickle
  • Many a mickle makes a muckle

Usage Examples

  • She saved one coin from every sale, knowing many a little makes a mickle.
  • Repair one yard of wall each week; many littles make a mickle.
  • The subscription grew by modest gifts, proof that many a little makes a mickle.

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