Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the more things change, the more they stay the same

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.91 in modern English

Syllables: the -more things change, the -more they s-tay the same
IPA

75

Scrabble Score

41

Letters

4

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

Turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.

proverb

A change of heart must accompany experience before lasting change occurs.

Example Sentences

"Superficial change is not movement, as is indicated by the saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”"
"There must be some continuity with the past, “or else the world is a madhouse.” Hence, the more things change, the more they stay the same; the more things stay the same, the more they change."
"On the other hand, the founders would certainly find a familiar state-centric and decentralized institutional approach to problem solving that is incapable of addressing the kinds of life-threatening global challenges increasingly and routinely confronting humanity. As the saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”"

Etymology

Calque of French plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Synonyms

plus ça change

Questions

What does the more things change, the more they stay the same mean?: Turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.
Where does the more things change, the more they stay the same come from?: Calque of French plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

How to pronounce the more things change, the more they stay the same

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