First come, first served. 
Meaning and origin
Meaning: This proverb means that people will be served or dealt with in the order that they arrive or present themselves.
Origin: This proverb dates back to at least the 16th century and is believed to have originated in England. It reflects the idea of fairness and equality in the distribution of goods or services based on the principle of first-come, first-served.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- There is a time for all things.
- Better late than never.
- Time is money.
- All in good time.
- Now is now and then was then.
- Strike while the iron is hot.
- Time and tide wait for no man.
- Christmas comes but once a year.
- Let bygones be bygones.
- After death the doctor.
- It is easy to be Wise after the event.
- It is no use crying over spilt milk.
- What is done cannot be undone.
- Time is the best healer.
- After a storm comes a calm.
- Every day is not Sunday.
- It is too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.
- It is too late to call back yesterday.
- Times change and we with them.
- A wonder lasts but nine days.
- Marry your son when you Will, your daughter when you can.
- Must I tell you a tale and find your ears too?
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
-
He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he Will.
- Who comes late, lodges ill.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
-
Prior tempore, potior iure.
The earlier the time, the better the right.
-
Sero venientibus ossa.
The bones come late.
-
Primus veniens primus molet.
First come first served.
French
-
Les os sont pour les absents.
The bones are for the absent.
-
Les premiers vont devant.
The first ones go ahead.
-
Qui premier arrive au moulin, premier engrène.
First to the mill, first to gear.
-
Le premier venu engrène.
The first to come along gears.
German
-
Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst.
First come, first served.
-
Besser zu früh als zu spät.
Better too early than too late.
Czech
-
Kdo dřív přijde, ten dřív mele.
First come, first served.
-
Kdo pozdě chodí, sám sobě škodí.
Those who are late are harming themselves.
-
Kdo zaváhá, nežere.
He who hesitates does not eat.
-
Pozdní hosti jedí kosti.
Late guests eat bones.
-
Kdo za stolem jídlo zmešká, Bohu ho není žel.
Whoever misses a meal at the table, God is not pleased with him.
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Kdo dřív do mlýna nese, tomu dříve melou.
He who is first to the mill shall be first to the grinding mill.