Pitchers Little pitchers have long ears. Little folk or children hear what is said when you little think it.
The ear of a pitcher is the handle, made in the shape of a man's ear. The handle of a cream-ewer and of other small jugs is quite out of proportion to the size of the vessel, compared with the handles of large jars.

"Little pitchers have big ears" used to be admonition from one adult to others to warn that children
might repeat what they are gossiping about.