fine words butter no parsnips

Well, there is Fine words butter no parsnips, I say.

They apologise, but he responds by saying that "fine words butter no parsnips".

"Fine words butter no parsnips" and "Follow the money" come to mind as potential ripostes.

As they say, fine words butter no parsnips, least of all from a man who served without complaint under both Brown and Blair.

"Fine words butter no parsnips" - but has anyone ever eaten buttered parsnips?

As Sir Walter Scott remarked, "Fine words butter no parsnips."

Fine words butter no parsnips, Mr Gove.

The I.R.A.'s words are welcome, but there's an old Irish saw applicable here, which says that fine words butter no parsnips.

Fine words butter no parsnips, as they say; it is no use saying that we will promote tourism and that the Commission is right behind the idea if nothing ends up happening, so, Commissioner, perhaps you would be so kind as to tell us something about all the initiatives by the Commission that you intend to support.