E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Trick.
An old dog learns no tricks. When persons are old they do not readily conform to new ways. The Latin proverb is “Senex psittacus negligit ferùlam;” the Greeks said, “Nekron iat’reuein kai geronta nou’thetein tauton esti;” the Germans say, “Ein alter hund ist nicht gut kundigen.”
