He is good to fetch the DEVIL a priest

Insights

Extreme Slowness and Unreliability

The proverb is a hyperbolic metaphor for extreme slowness and unreliability. It suggests a person's delay in completing an errand is so vast that they might as well have been assigned a task that is logically impossible and will take an eternity.

Futility of the Task

It metaphorically describes any task that is inherently absurd, contradictory, or doomed from the start. To be 'good' for such a task is to be associated with futility and pointless effort.

Ironic Competence

The phrase 'good to fetch' is deeply ironic, functioning as a sarcastic compliment. It implies that the person's only 'skill' is in taking forever, making them perfectly suited for a job that should never be finished, and thus useless for any practical purpose.

Theological Paradox

The proverb's power is rooted in the absolute theological paradox of the Devil, the ultimate embodiment of sin, seeking a priest, the agent of redemption. This stark contradiction, drawn from a Christian worldview, creates a vivid, instantly understood image of an impossible and never-ending task.

Psychology of Sarcasm

This saying is a prime example of folk sarcasm. By framing a harsh criticism ('you are unbearably slow') as a mock compliment ('you are uniquely qualified for this impossible job'), it uses wit to express profound frustration, a common psychological tool for social commentary.

Folkloric Motif of the Slow Messenger

As the annotation and cross-references suggest, this proverb belongs to a common folkloric tradition of complaining about slow messengers ('John Long the carrier'). Its unique, darkly humorous, and supernatural imagery makes it a particularly potent and memorable variant of this timeless social grievance.

Rhetorical Devices

Hyperbole

The proverb relies on extreme exaggeration—equating a person's slowness with an eternal, impossible quest—to create a humorous but sharp critique.

Irony

The core of the proverb is the situational irony of assigning a holy priest to the ultimate sinner, the Devil. This ironic pairing underscores the absurdity of the errand and, by extension, the messenger's delay.

Paradox

The central concept is a paradox: the Devil, who is antithetical to holiness, requiring a priest. This logical impossibility is the engine of the proverb's meaning, representing a journey with no possible end.