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Wiktionary: a new broom sweeps clean
Proverb
a new broom sweeps clean
1. New management will often make radical changes.
href=“http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Talk:a_new_broom_sweeps_clean”>Wiktionary: Talk:a new broom sweeps clean
…but an old broom knows the corners
Regarding the old saying, “A new broom sweeps clean,” my grandmother (1892 - 1971) went told that always added, “Yes, a new broom sweeps clean, but the old one knows the corners.” Is anyone else familiar with that extension or is it something she made up. Any comments would be appreciated. —This unsigned comment was added by Mushaquit (talk • contribs) 17:31, 19 September 2008 (UTC).
 
Google Books
October 1871, Our Young Folks, “The Mouse and his Friends,”  pg. 624:
“‘An old Broom knows where the crumbs are,’” said the Cricket.
 
15 April 1943, The Sun (Baltimore, MD), “Urges M’Keldin to show his hand: Jackson Calls On GOP Rival To State Qualifications For Running City,” pg. 34:
The Mayor, in response to a comment by his adversary that a new broom sweeps clean, declared that an “old broom knows where the corners are.”
 
18 April 1949, Boston (MA) Herald, “Six Braves Left from 1946” by Ed Cunningham, pg. 13, col. 7:
There is an old Irish saying that a new broom sweeps clean but an old broom knows all the corners, and Southworth had that in mind when he pointed the Braves toward the winning and defense of the pennant.
 
24 May 1962, Winnsboro (TX) News, pg. 2, col. 4:
“You know, Grandfather,” he concluded, “they say a new broom sweeps clean.”
   
The old man pondered for a time. “Yes, son,” he said, “I know they say a new broom sweeps clean. But an old broom knows where the dirt’s at.”’
 
Google News Archive
18 April 1973, Miami (FL) News, “Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren syndicated advice column, pg. 1E, col. 4:
CONFIDENTIAL TO “READY FOR A NEW BROOM IN LAGUNA HILLS”: A new broom may sweep clean, but the old broom knows where the dirt is.
 
Google Books
The Complete Book of Zingers
By Croft M. Pentz
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers
1990
Pg. 93:
A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows where the dirt is.
 
Google Books
Twisted Wisdom:
Modern Anti-Proverbs
By Wolfgang Mieder and Anna Tóthné Litovkina
Burlington, VT : University of Vermont
1999
Pg. 20:
A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners. (Barbour 1964: 292; DAP 72)
A new broom sweeps clean, but an old ...
 
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A new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows all the corners. (Irish Proverb) #quote
6:04 PM - 6 Jun 11