The old saying about the squeaky wheel is the squeaky wheel gets the grease, sometimes said as the squeaky wheel gets the oil. It is a proverb meaning the person who complains the loudest, makes the most noise, or draws attention to a problem is the one who gets help, attention, or a solution, while quiet people who do not complain are often ignored. The metaphor comes from a wagon or machine where a wheel that squeaks due to friction is the one that gets oiled and fixed, while silent wheels are left alone. The saying dates back to at least early 20th century America, popularized in a poem by Josh Billings around 1910, though concept is older. It is used both positively to encourage advocacy, as in you have to be the squeaky wheel to get customer service, and negatively to criticize complainers who get rewarded for whining. Related variations include the squeaky wheel gets replaced. It teaches that speaking up about problems leads to action, while staying silent leads to being overlooked. It is a common idiom in business, politics, and everyday life about importance of voicing concerns.
1 votes
Marked as accepted