"'Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?' said Maggie, in a disappointed tone. 'And what for should ye?' said her lord and master; 'to dance a' night, I'se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae's-length the morn, and we have ten Scots miles afore us? Na, na. Stable the steed, and pit your wife to bed when there's night wark to do.'"—Redgauntlet.
"'Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?' said Maggie, in a disappointed tone. 'And what for should ye?' said her lord and master; 'to dance a' night, I'se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae's-length the morn, and we have ten Scots miles afore us? Na, na. Stable the steed, and pit your wife to bed when there's night wark to do.'"—Redgauntlet.
Standers-by see mair than gamesters.
Staunin' dubs gather dirt.
"Standing pools gather filth."—English.
"Standing pools gather filth."—English.
Stay and drink o' your ain browst.
"Take a share of the mischief that you have occasioned."—Kelly.
"Take a share of the mischief that you have occasioned."—Kelly.
"But gae your wa's, Bessie, tak on ye,And see wha'll tak care o' ye now;E'en gae wi' the Bogle, my bonnie—It's a browst your ain daffery did brew."—Old Ballad.
"But gae your wa's, Bessie, tak on ye,And see wha'll tak care o' ye now;E'en gae wi' the Bogle, my bonnie—It's a browst your ain daffery did brew."
—Old Ballad.
Stay nae langer in a friend's house than ye're welcome.
Step by step climbs the hill.
Stickin' gangsna by strength, but by the right use o' the gully.
Stretching and gaunting bodes sleep to be wanting.
Strike as ye feed, and that's but soberly.
Strike the iron while it's hot.
Stuffing hauds out storms.
"Advising men to take some good thing before they travel in a bad day."—Kelly.
"Advising men to take some good thing before they travel in a bad day."—Kelly.
Sturt pays nae debt.
"Spoken with resentment to them who storm when we crave of them our just debts."—Kelly.
"Spoken with resentment to them who storm when we crave of them our just debts."—Kelly.
Sudden friendship's sure repentance.
Sue a beggar and gain a louse.
Sunday wooin' draws to ruin.
Supp'd out wort ne'er made gude ale.
"Spoken when one asks us for a drink of our wort, for what is drunk in wort will never be ale, good or bad."—Kelly.
"Spoken when one asks us for a drink of our wort, for what is drunk in wort will never be ale, good or bad."—Kelly.
Suppers kill mair than doctors cure.
Surfeits slay mair than swords.
Swear by your burnt shins.
Sweet at the on-taking, but soor in the aff-putting.
In allusion to the contraction of debt and other liabilities.
In allusion to the contraction of debt and other liabilities.
Sweet i' the bed and sweer up i' the morning was ne'er a gude housewife.
"A jocose reproof to young maids when they lie long a-bed."—Kelly.
"A jocose reproof to young maids when they lie long a-bed."—Kelly.
T
aka hair o' the dog that bit you.
This is a familiar rendering of the great law of Homœopathy,Similia similibus curantur; but is usually interpreted thus: Sober yourself by taking another glass.
This is a familiar rendering of the great law of Homœopathy,Similia similibus curantur; but is usually interpreted thus: Sober yourself by taking another glass.
Tak a piece; your teeth's langer than your beard.
Addressed to children who are diffident in accepting a "piece."
Addressed to children who are diffident in accepting a "piece."
Tak a seat on Maggie Shaw's Crocky.
"Maggy Shaw's Crockyis a broad flat stone, near to the brink of a precipice, overhanging the sea-shore, about a mile to the north of Eyemouth. This stone was placed over the remains of an old woman who had hanged herself, and who is said to be frequently seen at night sitting upon it, in the shape of a white sea-mew—sitting lonely on the
"Maggy Shaw's Crockyis a broad flat stone, near to the brink of a precipice, overhanging the sea-shore, about a mile to the north of Eyemouth. This stone was placed over the remains of an old woman who had hanged herself, and who is said to be frequently seen at night sitting upon it, in the shape of a white sea-mew—sitting lonely on the
"'glitty stane,Green wi' the dow o' the jauping main.'"—G. Henderson.
"'glitty stane,Green wi' the dow o' the jauping main.'"
—G. Henderson.
Tak a tune on your ain fiddle; ye'll dance till't afore it's dune.
"'I can hear no remonstrances,' he continued, turning away from the Bailie, whose mouth was open to address him; 'the service I am on gives me no time for idle discussions.' 'Aweel, aweel, sir,' said the Bailie, 'you're welcome to a tune on your ain fiddle; but see if I dinna gar ye dance till't afore a's dune.'"—Rob Roy.
"'I can hear no remonstrances,' he continued, turning away from the Bailie, whose mouth was open to address him; 'the service I am on gives me no time for idle discussions.' 'Aweel, aweel, sir,' said the Bailie, 'you're welcome to a tune on your ain fiddle; but see if I dinna gar ye dance till't afore a's dune.'"—Rob Roy.
"But sen ze think it easy thingTo mount aboif the mune,Of our awin fidle tak a spring,And daunce quhen ze haif done."—Cherrie and the Slae.
"But sen ze think it easy thingTo mount aboif the mune,Of our awin fidle tak a spring,And daunce quhen ze haif done."
—Cherrie and the Slae.
Tak care o' that man whom God has set his mark upon.
"I went once to a conventicle on a mountain side, in company of a very sage intelligent gentleman, who, seeing the preacher want two joints of each ring finger, having a nail upon the third, he immediately took horse and rode away. I asked him what ailed him? He said, 'God had set a mark upon that man, and he was sure it was not for nothing.' This man proved a great plague to his country, was the death of a great many, and came to a violent end himself."—Kelly.
"I went once to a conventicle on a mountain side, in company of a very sage intelligent gentleman, who, seeing the preacher want two joints of each ring finger, having a nail upon the third, he immediately took horse and rode away. I asked him what ailed him? He said, 'God had set a mark upon that man, and he was sure it was not for nothing.' This man proved a great plague to his country, was the death of a great many, and came to a violent end himself."—Kelly.
Tak a man by his word and a cow by her horn.
Tak him up on his fine eggs, and ane o' them rotten.
Tak nae mair on your back than ye're able to bear.
Tak pairt o' the pelf when the pack's dealing.
Tak the bit and the buffet wi't.
"What tho' sometimes, in angry mood,When she puts on her barlik hood,Her dialect seems rough and rude,Let's ne'er be flee't,But tak our bit, when it is gude,An' buffet wi't."—Allan Ramsay.
"What tho' sometimes, in angry mood,When she puts on her barlik hood,Her dialect seems rough and rude,Let's ne'er be flee't,But tak our bit, when it is gude,An' buffet wi't."
—Allan Ramsay.
Bear patiently taunts and ill usage, if advantages come with them.
Bear patiently taunts and ill usage, if advantages come with them.
Tak the head for the washing.
Tak the readiest to serve the needfu'ist.
Tak the will for the deed.
Tak time ere time be tint.
"Tak tyme, in tyme, or tyme be tint,For tyme will not remain."—Cherrie and the Slae.
"Tak tyme, in tyme, or tyme be tint,For tyme will not remain."
—Cherrie and the Slae.
Tak your ain will and ye'll no dee o' the pet.
Tak your ain will o't, as the cat did o' the haggis—first ate it, and then creepit into the bag.
This and the preceding proverb, Kelly says, "are spoken to them who obstinately persist in an unreasonable design."
This and the preceding proverb, Kelly says, "are spoken to them who obstinately persist in an unreasonable design."
Tak your meal wi' ye an' your brose will be thicker.
Used sarcastically by those who take a good mealbeforethey go to partake of one with a friend; signifying that they do not expect to be too well treated.
Used sarcastically by those who take a good mealbeforethey go to partake of one with a friend; signifying that they do not expect to be too well treated.
Tak your thanks to feed your cat.
Tak your venture, as mony a gude ship has done.
Tak your will, you're wise enough.
Tak wit wi' your anger.
Tam-tell-truth's nae courtier.
Tappit hens like cock-crowing.
Tarry breeks pays nae freight.
Persons in the same trade are generally willing to oblige one another. "Pipers don't pay fiddlers."—English."One barber shaves another."—French.
Persons in the same trade are generally willing to oblige one another. "Pipers don't pay fiddlers."—English."One barber shaves another."—French.
Tarry lang brings little hame.
Tell nae tales out o' schule.
Tell the truth and shame the deil.
Thank ye for cakes, I have scones in my pocket.
That bolt came ne'er out o' your bag.
That is, such a thing is better done or told than you could do it.
That is, such a thing is better done or told than you could do it.
That'll be a sap out o' my bicker.
Or will injure me by reducing my income or prospects.
Or will injure me by reducing my income or prospects.
That's abune your thoom.
Spoken to a person who is about to attempt a thing of which he is considered incapable.
Spoken to a person who is about to attempt a thing of which he is considered incapable.
That's a piece a stepmother never gied.
A hearty expression accompanying a substantial "piece" or meal.
A hearty expression accompanying a substantial "piece" or meal.
That's a sair hair in my neck.
"I canna but think I maun hae made a queer figure without my hat and my periwig, hanging by the middle like bawdrons, or a cloak flung ower a cloakpin. Bailie Grahame wad hae an unco hair in my neck an he got that tale by the end."—Rob Roy.
"I canna but think I maun hae made a queer figure without my hat and my periwig, hanging by the middle like bawdrons, or a cloak flung ower a cloakpin. Bailie Grahame wad hae an unco hair in my neck an he got that tale by the end."—Rob Roy.
That's as ill as the ewes in the yaird and nae dogs to hunt them.
The "yaird" being the safest place where the ewes could be, the proverb means that a thing is quite right.
The "yaird" being the safest place where the ewes could be, the proverb means that a thing is quite right.
That's a tale o' twa drinks.
That's a tee'd ba'.
That's but ae doctor's opinion.
That's equal aqual.
"Mr Novit, ye'll no forget to draw the annual rent that's due on the yerl's band—if I pay debt to other folk, I thinkthey suld pay it to me—that equals aquals.—Jock, when ye hae naething else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing, Jock, when ye're sleeping. My father tauld me sae forty years sin', but I ne'er fand time to mind him."—Heart of Midlothian.
"Mr Novit, ye'll no forget to draw the annual rent that's due on the yerl's band—if I pay debt to other folk, I thinkthey suld pay it to me—that equals aquals.—Jock, when ye hae naething else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing, Jock, when ye're sleeping. My father tauld me sae forty years sin', but I ne'er fand time to mind him."—Heart of Midlothian.
That's felling twa dogs wi' ae stane.
That's for that, as butter's for fish.
Meaning that such a thing is exactly what is wanted.
Meaning that such a thing is exactly what is wanted.
That's for the faither, and no for the son.
"Spoken when a thing is done with slight materials, and, consequently, will not be lasting."—Kelly.
"Spoken when a thing is done with slight materials, and, consequently, will not be lasting."—Kelly.
That's Halkerston's cow, a' the ither way.
Halkerston, a lawyer and landed proprietor, gave permission to one of his tenants to graze an ox. The tenant's ox was gored to death by a heifer belonging to the lawyer. The tenant went to Halkerston, and told the story the reverse of what had occurred. "Why, then," said the lawyer, "your ox must go for my heifer—the law provides that." "No," said the man, "your heifer killed my ox." "Oh," said Halkerston, "the case alters there," and forthwith reversed his tactics.
Halkerston, a lawyer and landed proprietor, gave permission to one of his tenants to graze an ox. The tenant's ox was gored to death by a heifer belonging to the lawyer. The tenant went to Halkerston, and told the story the reverse of what had occurred. "Why, then," said the lawyer, "your ox must go for my heifer—the law provides that." "No," said the man, "your heifer killed my ox." "Oh," said Halkerston, "the case alters there," and forthwith reversed his tactics.
That's ill paid maut siller.
"Metaphorically, a benefit ill requited."—Jamieson.
"Metaphorically, a benefit ill requited."—Jamieson.
That's like seekin' for a needle in a windlin o' strae.
That's my gude that does me gude.
That's my tale, whaur's yours?
Spoken by a person who has forestalled another by telling the same news or story which the other was about to do.
Spoken by a person who has forestalled another by telling the same news or story which the other was about to do.
That's no a heel to my shoe.
That's the ane the souter killed his wife wi'.
That's the best gown that gaes up and down the house.
That's the way to marry me, if ere you should hap to do it.
A sharp reply to those who presume to be too familiar.
A sharp reply to those who presume to be too familiar.
That's waur and mair o't.
That which God will gie the deil canna reeve.
"Spoken when we have attained our end in spite of opposition."—Kelly.
"Spoken when we have attained our end in spite of opposition."—Kelly.
That will be when the deil's blind, and he's no bleer-ee'd yet.
That winna be a mote in your marriage.
The ass that's no used to the sunks bites his crupper.
"'Sunks,' a sort of saddle made of cloth, and stuffed with straw, on which two persons can sit at once."—Jamieson.
"'Sunks,' a sort of saddle made of cloth, and stuffed with straw, on which two persons can sit at once."—Jamieson.
The back and the belly hauds ilka ane busy.
The ba' maun aye row some way.
The banes bear the beef hame.
The banes o' a great estate are worth the picking.
The best is aye the cheapest.
The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley.
The best o' wabs are rough at the roons.
The best that can happen to a poor man is that ae bairn dee and the rest follow.
Kelly is democratically angry at the questionable sentiment of this proverb,—"A cursed distrustful proverb!" he says. "God is able to maintain the poor man's child as well as the young master or young miss, and often in a more healthy and plump condition."
Kelly is democratically angry at the questionable sentiment of this proverb,—"A cursed distrustful proverb!" he says. "God is able to maintain the poor man's child as well as the young master or young miss, and often in a more healthy and plump condition."
The better day the better deed.
The jocular answer of a person who is blamed for doing something on Sunday.
The jocular answer of a person who is blamed for doing something on Sunday.
The biggest horse is no aye the best traveller.
The biggest rogue cries loudest out.
The bird maun flicher that has but ae wing.
The bird that can sing, an' winna sing, should be gar'd sing.
The black ox ne'er trod on his foot.
"Theblack oxis said totrampon one who has lost a near relation by death, or met with some severe calamity."—The Antiquary.
"Theblack oxis said totrampon one who has lost a near relation by death, or met with some severe calamity."—The Antiquary.
"Auld Luckie cries, 'Ye're o'er ill set,As ye'd hae measure, ye sud met;Ye ken na what may be your fateIn after days,The black cow has nae trampet yetUpo' your taes.'"—The Farmer's Ha'.
"Auld Luckie cries, 'Ye're o'er ill set,As ye'd hae measure, ye sud met;Ye ken na what may be your fateIn after days,The black cow has nae trampet yetUpo' your taes.'"
—The Farmer's Ha'.
The blind horse is aye the hardiest.
The blind man's peck should be weel measured.
The blind mear's first in the mire.
The bonny moon is on her back, mend your shoon and sort your thack.
"When the new moon is in such a part of the ecliptic as to appear turned much over upon her back, wet weather is expected."—Robert Chambers.
"When the new moon is in such a part of the ecliptic as to appear turned much over upon her back, wet weather is expected."—Robert Chambers.
The book o' may-be's is very braid.
The breath o' a fause friend's waur than the fuff o' a weasel.
The cart doesna lose its errand when it comesna hame toom-tail.
"To come back toom-tail is to go away with a load and come back empty."—Jamieson.The proverb is applied to those who accomplish more than their errand.
"To come back toom-tail is to go away with a load and come back empty."—Jamieson.
The proverb is applied to those who accomplish more than their errand.
The cat kens whase lips she licks.
The cat's oot o' the pock.
The cause is gude, and the word's "fa' tae."
A profane grace of hungry persons who sit down to a good meal.
A profane grace of hungry persons who sit down to a good meal.
The clartier the cosier.
Literally, the dirtier the more comfortable. Whether true or not we cannot say.
Literally, the dirtier the more comfortable. Whether true or not we cannot say.
The cost owergangs the profit.
The cow may dee ere the grass grow.
"While the grass is growing the steed is starving."—German.
"While the grass is growing the steed is starving."—German.
The cow may want her tail yet.
"You may want my kindness hereafter, though you deny me yours just now."—Kelly.
"You may want my kindness hereafter, though you deny me yours just now."—Kelly.
The cow that's first up gets the first o' the dew.
Used as an incentive to diligence and industry."The early bird catches the worm."—English.
Used as an incentive to diligence and industry.
"The early bird catches the worm."—English.
The cure may be waur than the disease.
The day has een, the night has lugs.
Prudence and caution are necessary at all times.
Prudence and caution are necessary at all times.
The day you do weel there will be seven munes in the lift and ane on the midden.
The inference is, that the person addressed has a very remote chance indeed of ever doing well.
The inference is, that the person addressed has a very remote chance indeed of ever doing well.
The death o' ae bairn winna skail a house.
The death o' his first wife made sic a hole in his heart that a' the lave slippit easily through.
"It is supposed that he who has lost the wife of his youth and love will easily bear the loss of a second or third, who are commonly married rather for convenience than love."—Kelly.
"It is supposed that he who has lost the wife of his youth and love will easily bear the loss of a second or third, who are commonly married rather for convenience than love."—Kelly.
The deil and the dean begin wi' ae letter; when the deil gets the dean the kirk will be better.
The deil aye drives his hogs to an ill market.
The deil bides his time.
The deil doesna aye show his cloven cloots.
The deil gaes awa when he finds the door steekit against him.
The deil gaes ower Jock Wabster.
"The deil gaes ower Jock Wabster, hame grows hell;And Pate misca's ye mair nor tongue can tell."—Gentle Shepherd.
"The deil gaes ower Jock Wabster, hame grows hell;And Pate misca's ye mair nor tongue can tell."
—Gentle Shepherd.
The deil gae wi' ye and a sixpence, and ye'll neither want money nor company.
The deil made souters sailors that can neither steer nor row.
Applied to those who undertake work of which they are incapable.
Applied to those who undertake work of which they are incapable.
The deil ne'er sent a wind out o' hell but he sail'd wi't.
The deil's a busy bishop in his ain diocese.
The deil's aye gude to his ain.
The deil's cow calves twice in ae year.
The deil's greedy, but ye're mislear'd.
The deil's greedy, sae are ye.
The deil's gude when he's pleased.
The deil's journeyman ne'er wants wark.
The deil's no sae black as he's ca'd.
"'Hout tout, neighbour, ye maunna tak the warld at its word,' said Saddletree; 'the very deil is no sae ill as he's ca'd; and I ken mair than ae advocate that may be said to hae some integrity as weel as their neighbours; that is, after a sort o' fashion o' their ain.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
"'Hout tout, neighbour, ye maunna tak the warld at its word,' said Saddletree; 'the very deil is no sae ill as he's ca'd; and I ken mair than ae advocate that may be said to hae some integrity as weel as their neighbours; that is, after a sort o' fashion o' their ain.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
The deil's ower grit wi' you.
"Ower grit," too familiar.
"Ower grit," too familiar.
The deil's pet lambs lo'e Claverse's lads.
A saying of the Covenanters, that the followers of Graham of Claverhouse were on affectionate terms with the favourites of the Evil One.
A saying of the Covenanters, that the followers of Graham of Claverhouse were on affectionate terms with the favourites of the Evil One.
The deil was sick, the deil a monk wad be; the deil grew hale, syne deil a monk was he.
Meaning that promises of amendment made on a sick-bed are seldom kept."All criminals preach under the gallows."—Italian.
Meaning that promises of amendment made on a sick-bed are seldom kept.
"All criminals preach under the gallows."—Italian.
The deil will tak little or he want a'.
The dorty dame may fa' in the dirt.
"Dorty," says Jamieson, "is applied to a female who is saucy with her suitors." That she may have to marry a more ineligible person than the one refused is here implied.
"Dorty," says Jamieson, "is applied to a female who is saucy with her suitors." That she may have to marry a more ineligible person than the one refused is here implied.
The drucken sot gets aye the drucken groat.
The e'ening brings a' hame.
The Englishman greets, the Irishman sleeps, but the Scotchman gangs till he gets it.
"A pretended account of the behaviour of these three nations when they want meat."—Kelly.
"A pretended account of the behaviour of these three nations when they want meat."—Kelly.
The farther ben the welcomer.
The farther in the deeper.
The farthest way aboot is aft the nearest way hame.
The fat sow's tail's aye creeshed.
Those who have sufficient money or property already are always getting additions to their stores.
Those who have sufficient money or property already are always getting additions to their stores.
The feathers carried awa the flesh.
The feet are slow when the head wears snaw.
The first dish is aye best eaten.
The first fuff o' a fat haggis is aye the bauldest.
Or the first threat of a boaster or coward is always the worst.
Or the first threat of a boaster or coward is always the worst.
The first gryce and the last whalp o' a litter are aye the best.
The fish that sooms in a dub will aye taste o' dirt.
The flesh is aye fairest that's farthest frae the bane.
However, although fairest, it is not the best, for another proverb of our own says, "Nearer the bane the sweeter."
However, although fairest, it is not the best, for another proverb of our own says, "Nearer the bane the sweeter."
The foot at the cradle and the hand at the reel, is a sign that a woman means to do weel.
The foremost hound grips the hare.
The fu'er my house, the toomer my purse.
The goat gies a gude milking, but she ca's ower the cog wi' her feet.
Spoken of useful people who are, however, as troublesome as they are useful.
Spoken of useful people who are, however, as troublesome as they are useful.
The grace o' a grey bannock is in the bakin' o't.
The grace o' God is gear enough.
The grandsire buys, the faither bigs, the son sells, and the grandson thigs.
Alluding to the uncertainty of earthly things; meaning, literally, that the grandsire buys estates on which the father builds, the son sells the property, and forces the grandson again in turn to beg.
Alluding to the uncertainty of earthly things; meaning, literally, that the grandsire buys estates on which the father builds, the son sells the property, and forces the grandson again in turn to beg.
The gravest fish is an oyster; the gravest bird's an ool; the gravest beast's an ass; an' the gravest man's a fool.
The greatest burdens are no the maist gainfu'.
The greatest clerk's no aye the wisest man.
The greedy man and the cook are sure friends.
The greedy man and the gileynour are weel met.
The gude dog doesna aye get the best bane.
The gude man's mither is aye in the gait.
"The husband's mother is the wife's devil."—Dutch.
"The husband's mother is the wife's devil."—Dutch.
The gude man's no aye the best man.
The gude or ill hap o' a gude or ill life, is the gude or ill choice o' a gude or ill wife.
"He who has a good wife can bear any evil; he who has a bad wife can expect no happiness that can be so called."—Spanish.
"He who has a good wife can bear any evil; he who has a bad wife can expect no happiness that can be so called."—Spanish.
The happy man canna be herried.
The haughty hawk winna stoop to carrion.
The height o' nonsense is supping soor milk wi' an elshin.
This is equalled by a saying of another country, which has "keeping the sea back with a pitchfork" as its type of nonsense.
This is equalled by a saying of another country, which has "keeping the sea back with a pitchfork" as its type of nonsense.
The hen's egg gaes to the ha' to bring the goose's egg awa.
"Spoken when poor people give small gifts to be doubly repaid."—Kelly.
"Spoken when poor people give small gifts to be doubly repaid."—Kelly.
The higher climb the greater fa'.
The higher the hill the laigher the grass.
The higher the tree the sweeter the plooms; the richer the souter the blacker his thooms.
The king lies doun, yet the warld rins round.
Applied to persons who have an exaggerated idea of their own importance.
Applied to persons who have an exaggerated idea of their own importance.
The king may come in the cadger's gait.
This proverb, which is exclusively Scottish, means that a person who has been slighted, or whose services have been despised, may have an opportunity of retaliating at a future time.
This proverb, which is exclusively Scottish, means that a person who has been slighted, or whose services have been despised, may have an opportunity of retaliating at a future time.
The king may come to Kelly yet, and when he comes he'll ride.
"It signifies that the time may come that I may get my revenge upon such people, and then I will do it to purpose."—Kelly.
"It signifies that the time may come that I may get my revenge upon such people, and then I will do it to purpose."—Kelly.
The kirk's aye greedy.
The kirk's muckle, but ye may say mass i' the end o't.
"Spoken when people say something is too much, intimating that they need take no more than they have need for."—Kelly.
"Spoken when people say something is too much, intimating that they need take no more than they have need for."—Kelly.
The laird may be laird, and still need the hind's help.
The laird's brither's an ill tenant.
The langer we live we see the mair ferlies.
The langest day has an end.
The lass that has ower mony wooers aft wales the warst.
The lass that lightlies may lament.
To "lightlie" is to despise or treat with contempt.
To "lightlie" is to despise or treat with contempt.
The lazy lad maks a stark auld man.
The lean dog is a' fleas.
The leeful man is the beggar's brither.
The less debt the mair dainties.
"The less I lee."
This is merely a phrase, but a very expressive one. It implies emphatically that "thewholetruth, andnothingbut the truth," has been told.
This is merely a phrase, but a very expressive one. It implies emphatically that "thewholetruth, andnothingbut the truth," has been told.
The less wit a man has, the less he kens the want o't.
The loudest bummer's no the best bee.
The lucky pennyworth sells soonest.
The mair cost the mair honour.
The mair dirt the less hurt.
The mair mischief the better sport.
The mair the merrier; the fewer better cheer.
The mair ye steer the mair ye'll sink.
The maister's brither's an ill servant.
The maister's ee maks the horse fat.
A fat man riding upon a lean horse was asked how it came to pass that he was so fat while his horse was so lean? "Because," said he, "I feed myself, but my servant feeds the horse.""The master's eye puts meat on the horse's ribs."—Irish.
A fat man riding upon a lean horse was asked how it came to pass that he was so fat while his horse was so lean? "Because," said he, "I feed myself, but my servant feeds the horse."
"The master's eye puts meat on the horse's ribs."—Irish.
The maister's foot's the best measure.
The man may eithly tine a stot that canna count his kine.
Or the man who does not know his business cannot look properly after it.
Or the man who does not know his business cannot look properly after it.
The man wha sits on the silk goun-tail o' the wife wha's tocher bought it, never sits easy.
The maut's abune the meal.
"Donald Bean Lean, being aware that the bridegroom was in request, and wanting to cleik the cunzie (that is, hook the siller), he cannily carried off Gilliewhackit ae night when he was ridingdoveringhame (wi' the maut rather abune the meal), and with the help of his gillies hegat him into the hills with the speed of light, and the first place he wakened in was the Cove of Vaimh an Ri."—Waverley.
"Donald Bean Lean, being aware that the bridegroom was in request, and wanting to cleik the cunzie (that is, hook the siller), he cannily carried off Gilliewhackit ae night when he was ridingdoveringhame (wi' the maut rather abune the meal), and with the help of his gillies hegat him into the hills with the speed of light, and the first place he wakened in was the Cove of Vaimh an Ri."—Waverley.
"The meal cheap and shoon dear," quo' the souter's wife, "I'd like to hear."
The miller mouters best wi' his ain hand.
The morn's the morn.
"When northern blasts the ocean snurl,And gars the heights and hows look gurl,Then left about the bumper whirl,And toom the horn;Grip fast the hours which hasty hurl,The morn's the morn."—Allan Ramsay.
"When northern blasts the ocean snurl,And gars the heights and hows look gurl,Then left about the bumper whirl,And toom the horn;Grip fast the hours which hasty hurl,The morn's the morn."
—Allan Ramsay.
The moudiwart feedsna on midges.
Them that canna get a peck maun put up wi' a stimpart.
A "stimpart" is the fourth part of a peck. They who cannot obtain luxuries must content themselves with necessaries.
A "stimpart" is the fourth part of a peck. They who cannot obtain luxuries must content themselves with necessaries.
Them that canna ride maun shank it.
"'To shank,' to travel on foot."—Jamieson.
"'To shank,' to travel on foot."—Jamieson.
Them that likesna water brose will scunner at cauld steerie.
"'Cauld steerie,' sourmilk and meal stirred together in a cold state."—Jamieson.Used as a taunt to those who complain of common food.
"'Cauld steerie,' sourmilk and meal stirred together in a cold state."—Jamieson.
Used as a taunt to those who complain of common food.
Them that winna work maun want.
Them that's ill fleyed are seldom sair hurt.
Them that's slack in gude are eydent in ill.
The muck midden is the mither o' the meal kist.
Them wha gae jumpin' awa aft come limpin' hame.
Them wha stand on a knowe's sure to be noticed.
Or they who elevate themselves to a public position are sure to be conspicuous.
Or they who elevate themselves to a public position are sure to be conspicuous.
Then's then, but noo's the noo.
"'Weel, Lindy man,' says Colin, 'that's a' true,But then was then, my lad, an' noo is noo;'Bout then-a-days, we'd seldom met wi' cross,Nor kent the ill o' conters or a loss.But noo, the case is altered very sair.'"—Ross's Helenore.
"'Weel, Lindy man,' says Colin, 'that's a' true,But then was then, my lad, an' noo is noo;'Bout then-a-days, we'd seldom met wi' cross,Nor kent the ill o' conters or a loss.But noo, the case is altered very sair.'"
—Ross's Helenore.
The name o' an honest woman's muckle worth.
The nearer e'en the mair beggars.
A jocular salutation to those who drop in to visit a friend.
A jocular salutation to those who drop in to visit a friend.
The next time ye dance, ken wha ye tak by the hand.
"Spoken to them who have imprudently engaged with some who have been too cunning or too hard for them."—Kelly.
"Spoken to them who have imprudently engaged with some who have been too cunning or too hard for them."—Kelly.
The peasweep aye cries farthest frae his ain nest.
The piper wants muckle that wants the nether chaft.
"Spoken when a thing is wanting which is actually necessary."—Kelly.
"Spoken when a thing is wanting which is actually necessary."—Kelly.
The poor man is aye put to the warst.
The poor man pays for a'.
The poor man's shilling is but a penny.
The post o' honour is the post o' danger.
The proof o' the pudding's the preein' o't.
The proudest nettle grows on a midden.
And a very proud person may have sprung from a poor family.
And a very proud person may have sprung from a poor family.
The rain comes scouth when the wind's in the south.
To rain "scouth," is to rain abundantly or heavily.
To rain "scouth," is to rain abundantly or heavily.
There are great stots in Ireland, but they canna get here for horns.
There are mair foxes than there are holes for.
There are mair knaves in my kin than honest men in yours.
There are mair maidens than maukins.
Literally, there are more maidens than young hares. Figuratively, he has lost one sweetheart, but he'll soon get another.
Literally, there are more maidens than young hares. Figuratively, he has lost one sweetheart, but he'll soon get another.
There are mair married than gude house hauders.
Or more persons in the capacity of householders than are competent for the duties of the position.
Or more persons in the capacity of householders than are competent for the duties of the position.
There are mair wark-days than life-days.
There are nane sae weel shod but may slip.
There belangs mair to a bed than four bare legs.
Spoken to persons about to marry, signifying that more expenses are incurred in housekeeping than they are aware of.
Spoken to persons about to marry, signifying that more expenses are incurred in housekeeping than they are aware of.
There belangs mair to a ploughman than whistling.
There grows nae grass at the market cross.
There ne'er came ill frae a gude advice.
There ne'er was a bad that couldna be waur.
There ne'er was a fair word in flyting.
There ne'er was a fire without some reek.
There ne'er was a poor man in his kin.
There ne'er was a slut but had a slit, or a daw but had twa.
There ne'er was a five pound note but there was a ten pound road for't.
Such was the reply of a respected lady friend of ours when asked what she did with all the money she got. It does not appear in any previous collection, but it is too good to be lost.
Such was the reply of a respected lady friend of ours when asked what she did with all the money she got. It does not appear in any previous collection, but it is too good to be lost.
There's a day coming that'll show wha's blackest.
There's a difference between fen o'er and fair well.
"There is a great difference between their way of living who only get a little scrap to keep them alive, and theirs who get every day a full meal."—Kelly.
"There is a great difference between their way of living who only get a little scrap to keep them alive, and theirs who get every day a full meal."—Kelly.
There's a difference between the piper and his bitch.
There's a difference between "Will you sell?" and "Will you buy?"
There's a dub at every door, and before some doors there's twa.
A "dub" is a pool or puddle of water. Proverbially, there is a skeleton in every house.
A "dub" is a pool or puddle of water. Proverbially, there is a skeleton in every house.
There's ae day o' reckoning and anither day o' payment.
There's a flee in my hose.
"That is, I have some trouble of mind or body about me that takes up my thought."—Kelly.
"That is, I have some trouble of mind or body about me that takes up my thought."—Kelly.
There's a gude and a bad side to everything; a' the airt is to find it out.
There's a gude shape in the shears' mouth.
But it requires talent and skill to bring it forth.
But it requires talent and skill to bring it forth.
There's a het hurry when there's a hen to roast.
"There's a mote in't," quo' the man when he swallowed the dishclout.
There's an act in the Laird o' Grant's court, that no abune eleven speak at ance.
A jocular remark when too many speak at once: that it is founded on fact is questionable.
A jocular remark when too many speak at once: that it is founded on fact is questionable.
"There's an unco splutter," quo' the sow i' the gutter.
There's a reason for ye, an' a rag about the foot o't.
The meaning of this is, that a very trifling or lame reason has been given for something having been done.
The meaning of this is, that a very trifling or lame reason has been given for something having been done.
There's as gude fish in the sea as ever came out o't.
"I jalouse it's neither siller nor the Kirk o' Scotland that's fashing him. If I'm no mista'en, he's vexing himsel' a hantle mair about Miss Migummerie; but he needna be sic a fule—there's as gude fish in the sea as ever yet cam oot o't—that's a' that I'll say."—The Disruption.
"I jalouse it's neither siller nor the Kirk o' Scotland that's fashing him. If I'm no mista'en, he's vexing himsel' a hantle mair about Miss Migummerie; but he needna be sic a fule—there's as gude fish in the sea as ever yet cam oot o't—that's a' that I'll say."—The Disruption.
There's a sliddery stane before the ha' door.
"Signifying the uncertainty of court favour, and the promises of great men."—Kelly.
"Signifying the uncertainty of court favour, and the promises of great men."—Kelly.
There's as mony Johnstones as Jardines.
Meaning that there are as many on the one side as there are on the other; that the chances are equal.
Meaning that there are as many on the one side as there are on the other; that the chances are equal.
There's a storm in somebody's nose, licht where it like.
Spoken when we see a person angry, and about to break into a passion.
Spoken when we see a person angry, and about to break into a passion.
There's a time to gley and a time to look straught.
There's a tough sinew in an auld wife's heel.
There's a whaup i' the raip.
There is a knot in the rope—there is something wrong.
There is a knot in the rope—there is something wrong.
There's a word in my wame, but it's ower far down.
Spoken by a person who is at a loss for a particular word to express himself.
Spoken by a person who is at a loss for a particular word to express himself.
There's aye a glum look where there's cauld crowdy.
Glum looks when there is cold shoulder of mutton for dinner, in England, are proverbial.
Glum looks when there is cold shoulder of mutton for dinner, in England, are proverbial.
There's aye a wimple in a lawyer's clew.
"'The judge didna tell us a' he could hae tell'd us, if he had liked, about the application for pardon, neighbours,' said Saddletree; 'there is aye a wimple in a lawyer's clew; but it's a wee bit o' a secret.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
"'The judge didna tell us a' he could hae tell'd us, if he had liked, about the application for pardon, neighbours,' said Saddletree; 'there is aye a wimple in a lawyer's clew; but it's a wee bit o' a secret.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
There's aye enough o' friends when folk hae ought.
"Daft Will Speirs was sitting on the roadside picking a large bone, when the Earl of Eglinton came along. 'Weel, Will,' said the Earl, 'what's this you've got noo?''Ay, ay,' said Will, 'anew o' friends when folk has ocht; ye gaed by me a wee sin', an' ne'er loot on ye saw me.'"—The Scotch Haggis.
"Daft Will Speirs was sitting on the roadside picking a large bone, when the Earl of Eglinton came along. 'Weel, Will,' said the Earl, 'what's this you've got noo?''Ay, ay,' said Will, 'anew o' friends when folk has ocht; ye gaed by me a wee sin', an' ne'er loot on ye saw me.'"—The Scotch Haggis.
There's aye ill-will among cadgers.
Synonymous with "Two of a trade seldom agree."—French.
Synonymous with "Two of a trade seldom agree."—French.
There's aye life in a living man.
There's aye some water where the stirkie drowns.
There's aye sorrow at somebody's door.
"There's baith meat and music here," quo' the dog when he ate the piper's bag.
There's beild beneath an auld man's beard.
Beild, that is, shelter or protection.
Beild, that is, shelter or protection.
There's brains enough ootside his head.
There's but ae gude wife in the warld, and ilka ane thinks he has her.