If Wishes Were Fishes | Meaning, Origin & Usage

There’s an old Scottish nursery rhyme that likens wishes to fishes, saying, “if wishes were fishes.” At first, this might seem a little puzzling. But don’t worry, we’re here to break it down and explain what it really means. The phrase “If wishes were fishes” may sound odd at first, but it carries a deeper meaning.

It’s a popular Scottish nursery rhyme used to teach children about the reality of life and the impossibility of wishes. While many people grow up hoping their wishes will come true, this saying reminds us that wishing alone doesn’t make things happen. Through different variations, it paints a picture of how absurd it would be if wishes were as common as fish. By understanding this phrase, we can see how it applies to both childhood dreams and everyday hopes.

What Does “If Wishes Were Fishes We’d All Swim In Riches” Mean?

The phrase “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches” means that wishes are impossible. It’s a playful Scottish rhyme that mocks the idea of making wishes, suggesting that if wishes were as easy to obtain as fish, everyone would be able to have their wishes come true.

Scottish children grow up with a lot of these idioms, teaching them about the realities of life. While it’s nice to think that wishes can change the world, the rhyme reminds us that wishing doesn’t make something happen. Most adults understand that wishes don’t exist in a magical sense, and there’s no way to just grant someone’s wish. But the youth are often hopeful and optimistic, believing that wishes might come true. It’s nice to have that sense of hope, but this nursery rhyme takes a more realistic approach, teaching kids that wishes aren’t what they seem.

If Wishes Were Fishes, We’d All Cast Nets

Another variation of the rhyme goes, “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets.” This line emphasizes the same idea: if wishes were as simple as catching fish, we’d all be out with nets trying to collect them.

Fishing has been a significant part of Scottish culture, and this rhyme reflects that tradition. Many Scottish fishermen tell their children that if fishes were wishes, they’d spend their days catching them. Every fisherman would set sail, hoping to haul in a bounty of wishes along with their daily catch.

It’s another way of showing children that wishes are not something you can simply collect or make happen. If wishes worked that way, everyone would be out there making them—and getting them. But that’s not how the world works.

If Wishes Were Fishes, The World Would Be An Ocean

This variation paints an even bigger picture: “If wishes were fishes, the world would be an ocean.” This line suggests that if every wish were a fish, there would be so many of them that the entire world would turn into an ocean.

The point is the same: wishes are not a practical way to get what we want. As wonderful as it sounds to have every wish come true, it would become overwhelming. Imagine every wish you ever made coming true—eventually, there would be too many. The world would overflow with fishes—or wishes. It’s a clever way of reminding us that not all wishes should come true because the reality might not be as perfect as we imagine.

If Wishes Were Fishes And Cattle Were Kings

Here’s another twist on the rhyme: “If wishes were fishes, and cattle were kings, the world would be full of wonderful things.” This version plays with the idea that common things, like fishes and cattle, would become as valuable as wishes or even kings.

In this case, fishes and cattle are everywhere—just as abundant as wishes and kings would be if the world worked like that. The rhyme uses this idea to show how impossible the situation is. Just as kings are rare and powerful, wishes are supposed to be just as extraordinary. But if fishes and cattle became those things, they would no longer be special or meaningful.

Origin Of The Saying “If Wishes Were Fishes We’d All Swim In Riches”

The saying has its roots in a well-known, but old-fashioned, Scottish nursery rhyme. Its purpose was to teach children that wishes are not something to rely on, as they are impossible to grant in the real world.

The original rhyme also included the line, “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.” This version uses horses instead of fishes and suggests that even beggars (who are poor) would have wishes come true if such things existed. But since wishes aren’t real, beggars remain without horses, and turnips don’t magically become swords.

Over time, people have created their own versions of the rhyme, but the core meaning remains. The rhyme teaches that while it’s fun to think about wishes, in the end, they aren’t something we can count on.

Examples Of When To Use The Saying “If Wishes Were Fishes We’d All Swim In Riches”

To better understand how to use this saying in conversation, let’s look at a few examples:

• “Do you think you’re going to win the lottery? Well, if wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.”
• “I don’t think you’re going to get married by the end of the year, but if wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.”
• “Remember that if wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches. You’re not the only one who wishes to play on a professional soccer team.”
• “Do you know how hard it is to be successful in life? If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.”
• “Your prayers might not be answered every time since if wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.”

These examples show how you can use the saying when someone is expressing hope or desire for something that is unlikely to happen. It’s a way to gently bring them back to reality without crushing their spirits completely.

Related Scottish Nursery Rhymes

Let’s wrap up with a few other related Scottish nursery rhymes. These rhymes often have the same kind of playful tone and are used to teach children important life lessons:

• “There once was a girl from Nantucket, who crossed the sea in a bucket. And when she got there, they asked for a fare, so she pulled up her dress and said: ‘Suck it!’”
• “There was an old man of the Isles, who suffered severely from piles. He couldn’t sit down without a deep frown, so he had to row standing for miles.”

These limericks teach kids about rhyme and structure in a fun way. While they don’t all carry deep meanings like the “If Wishes Were Fishes” rhyme, they help children understand the rhythm of language.

FAQs

What does “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches” mean? 

This phrase means that wishes are impossible to grant, much like the idea of swimming in riches is unrealistic. The nursery rhyme uses fishes as a metaphor for wishes, saying if they were that easy to obtain, everyone would have everything they ever desired. However, it teaches that life doesn’t work this way, and wishes alone won’t bring success or wealth. It’s a fun but practical reminder that while wishing can give hope, hard work and effort are what truly matter in achieving goals.

Where did the saying originate? 

The phrase originates from an old Scottish nursery rhyme. It was designed to teach children about the unreality of wishes and how they should focus on more practical things. Over the years, different variations have popped up, including lines like “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.” This version also emphasizes how impossible it would be if wishes were real because even beggars would have everything they want. The saying has been passed down for generations, but its core meaning remains.

What is the meaning behind “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets”? 

This variation of the rhyme suggests that if wishes were as easy to get as fish, people would be out casting nets to catch as many as they could. In other words, if wishes came true, everyone would be out collecting them like fish from the sea. This version emphasizes the absurdity of wishes in a more visual way, showing that if everyone had the power to make their wishes come true, the world would be overflowing with wishes. It’s another playful way to show the impracticality of depending on wishes.

How does the rhyme help teach children about reality? 

The rhyme is often used to help children understand that while wishing for something is natural, they can’t rely on wishes to achieve what they want. It encourages them to focus on real actions instead of waiting for magical solutions. By comparing wishes to something as common as fishes, it shows children that wishing alone isn’t enough. It’s a way to bring them back to reality while still acknowledging that having hopes and dreams is okay, as long as they put in the effort to achieve them.

Are there other versions of the phrase? 

Yes, many other versions of this rhyme exist. One popular version is “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride,” which similarly highlights how unlikely it is for wishes to come true. Another version says, “If wishes were fishes and cattle were kings, the world would be full of wonderful things,” which humorously suggests that common things like cattle or fish could become valuable or powerful. Each variation retains the same idea: wishes are not easy to come by and shouldn’t be relied upon to solve problems.

How is the saying used in everyday conversation? 

In everyday conversation, “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches” is often used to remind people that it’s not realistic to rely on wishes to solve problems. For example, if someone is hoping to win the lottery or get something unlikely, you might respond with this phrase to gently bring them back to reality. It’s a way to say that hoping for something isn’t enough; they need to take action to achieve their goals. It’s a polite and often humorous way of encouraging someone to be more practical.

Conclusion

The phrase “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches” serves as a fun but powerful reminder that wishing alone isn’t enough to achieve what we want. While it’s good to have hopes and dreams, we must pair them with effort and action to make them a reality. The nursery rhyme helps ground us in the truth that hard work beats relying on wishes any day. As the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Understanding this phrase helps us appreciate the balance between dreaming big and working hard. In the end, it’s the effort we put in that brings us closer to our desires, not just the wishes we make.