early 15c. (implied in proverbially.), from Late Latin proverbialis "pertaining to a proverb," from proverbium (see proverb).
he kicked the proverbial bucket
the proverbial grasshopper
her proverbial lateness
your proverbial dizzy blonde
the proverbial absentminded professor
Provencal
Provence
provender
provenience
proverb
proverbial
provide
provided
providence
provident
providential
