First of all, I can't remember whether it's "Feed a fever, starve a cold" or "feed a cold, starve a fever." Second of all, I always assumed that the proverb contained two conjoined bits of advice. But someone said to me once that it was a disguised conditional as in "Marry in haste, repent at leisure" (see 2b here); if you feed a cold, you will find yourself having to starve a fever, or vice versa. Third of all, I don't even know whether it's supposed to be actual health advice or some sort of metaphorical counsel of moderation. Anyone know what's up?
Posted by Matt Weiner at March 27, 2005 10:50 AM