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Crime doesn't pay
Posted by ESC on May 09, 2006
In Reply to: Crime doesn't pay posted by Smokey Stover on May 09, 2006
: : I am a foreigner. Would anyone help me to translate the phrase "Crime doesn't pay"? Naturally, I understand every single word but cannot get the idea.
: : Thank you
: As it happens, this phrase has been discussed on Phrase Finders. Type it into the Search BOx, top of the previous page, and you will read a bit about the history of the phrase and it's popularity.
: But you wanted to know what it means. It's a slogan from the Department of Wishful THinking. It means that even though committing crimes sounds like a highly rewarding profession, be warned! As a criminal you're going to be found out, your illicit earnings will be confiscated and you'll go to jail. The net pay-off makes crime a chump's game. In the long run, crime is just not profitable. SS
Made popular for a 1930s radio show. See: www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 8 messages 365.html
- Crime doesn't pay Bob 09/May/06
