A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

CANDLEMAS day, put beans in the clay; put candles and candle-sticks away
For Candlemas Day see preceding proverb. The two halves of the proverb appear to have come together comparatively recently, with the instruction about sowing beans possibly being displaced from St Valentine’s day (14 Feb.) in response to the shift from the Old Style to the New Style calendar; cf. the rhyme attested from c 1640 On Saint Valentine’s Day cast beans in clay But on Saint Chad (2 Mar.) sow good or bad (John Smyth, Berkeley MSS 33. no. 89).

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  1678 J. RAY English Proverbs (ed. 2) 344 On Candlemas day throw candle and candlestick away. 1876 T. F. THISELTON-DYER British Popular Customs 55 From Candlemas the use of tapers at vespers and litanies, which had continued through the whole year, ceased until the ensuing All Hallow Mass.. On Candlemas Day, throw candle and candlestick away. 1948 F. THOMPSON Still glides Stream ii. Broad beans were planted.. on Candlemas Day. Candlemas Day, stick beans in the clay, Throw candle and candlestick right away, they would quote. 1974 K. BRIGGS Folklore of Cotswolds ii. Candlemas Day was the time.. when lights were extinguished. .. An old rhyme said: Candlemas Day, put beans in the clay: Put candles and candle-sticks away. ■ calendar lore; garden lore
  

If the CAP fits, wear it
Used with reference to the suitability of names or descriptions as demonstrated by the behaviour of the person concerned. Cf. if the SHOE fits, wear it. The cap in question was originally a dunce’s cap, as is shown by the following: 1600 N. BRETON Pasquil’s Fools-Cap A3 Where you finde a head fit for this Cappe, either bestowe it vpon him in charity, or send him where he may haue them for his money.
□1732 T. FULLER Gnomologia no. 2670 If any Fool finds the Cap fit him, let him wear it. 1750 RICHARDSON Clarissa (ed. 3) VII. ii. If indeed thou findest.. that the cap fits thy own head, why then.. clap it on. 1854 DICKENS Hard Times II. vii. ‘Mercenary. .. Who is not mercenary?’.. ‘You know whether the cap fits you. .. If it does, you can wear it.’ 1985 ‘J. GASH’ Pearlhanger xi. Little crooks get chased. Big crooks.. get knighted and freedom. I don’t mean bankers and insurance syndicates, incidentally, though if the
cap fits.. “conduct; reputation