Cf. [Plautus Miles Gloriosus l. 741] nam hospes nullus tam in amici hospitium devorti potest, quin, ubi triduom continuom fuerit, iam odiosus siet, no host can be hospitable enough to prevent a friend who has descended on him from becoming tiresome after three days.
As we say in Athens, fishe and gestes in three dayes are stale.
[1580 Lyly Euphues & his England II. 81]
Two dayes y'ave larded here; a third yee know, Makes guests and fish smell strong; pray go.
[1648 Herrick Hesperides 169]
Fish and visitors smell in three days.
[1736 B. Franklin Poor Richard's Almanack (Jan.)]
‘See that you wear not out your welcome.’ This is an elegant rendering of the vulgar saying that ‘Fish and company stink in three days’.
[1869 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. IV. 272]
How long should she stay? She remembered the universal truth that fish and guests smell after three days.
[1985 J. S. Borthwick Down East Murders iv.]
Fish and visitors smell after three days, the old adage goes. Yet the experience of hosting a crowd for an extended time over the holidays need not leave a bad taste—or odor—for someone prepared to cope.
[2001 Washington Times 21 Nov. B1]
Related to: hospitality
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
