"This rule admits large exceptions, for some are fully apprised of the contrary."—Kelly.
"This rule admits large exceptions, for some are fully apprised of the contrary."—Kelly.
There's life in a mussel as lang as it cheeps.
There's little for the rake after the shool.
"There is little to be gotten of such a thing when covetous people have had their will of it."—Kelly.
"There is little to be gotten of such a thing when covetous people have had their will of it."—Kelly.
There's little wit in the pow that lichts the candle at the lowe.
He has little wit who does a thing in a dangerous or extravagant manner. There is an addition to this saying common in the north, "And as little in the croon, that kindles 't ower far doon."
He has little wit who does a thing in a dangerous or extravagant manner. There is an addition to this saying common in the north, "And as little in the croon, that kindles 't ower far doon."
There's little sap in a dry pea-shaup.
"There's little to reck," quo' the knave to his neck.
There's mair ado than a dish to lick.
There's mair knavery among kirkmen than honesty amang courtiers.
There's mair knavery on sea and land than all the warld beside.
"A facetious bull, upon mentioning of some knavish action."—Kelly.
"A facetious bull, upon mentioning of some knavish action."—Kelly.
There's mair room without than within.
A churlish remark of one who thinks his company is not wanted.
A churlish remark of one who thinks his company is not wanted.
There's mair ways o' killing a dog than hanging him.
There's mair ways than ane o' keeping craws frae the stack.
There's mair ways to the wood than ane.
There's mair whistling wi' you than gude red land.
Or more play than work."'Red land,' ground turned up with the plough."—Jamieson.
Or more play than work.
"'Red land,' ground turned up with the plough."—Jamieson.
There's measure in a' things, even in kail supping.
"There is reason in roasting of eggs."—English.
"There is reason in roasting of eggs."—English.
There's mirth among the kin when the howdie cries "A son."
There's mony a true tale tauld in jest.
There's mony a tod hunted that's no killed.
"'Oh, I hae nae friend left in the warld!—O, that I were lying dead at my mother's side in Newbattle kirkyard!'—'Hout, lassie,' said Ratcliffe, willing to show the interest which he absolutely felt, 'dinna be sae dooms doon-hearted as a' that; there's mony a tod hunted that's no killed. Advocate Langtale has brought folk through waur snappers than a' this, and there's no a cleverer agent than Nichil Novit e'er drew a bill o' suspension.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
"'Oh, I hae nae friend left in the warld!—O, that I were lying dead at my mother's side in Newbattle kirkyard!'—'Hout, lassie,' said Ratcliffe, willing to show the interest which he absolutely felt, 'dinna be sae dooms doon-hearted as a' that; there's mony a tod hunted that's no killed. Advocate Langtale has brought folk through waur snappers than a' this, and there's no a cleverer agent than Nichil Novit e'er drew a bill o' suspension.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
There's mony chances, baith o' gude and ill, befa' folk in this warld.
There's muckle ado when dominies ride.
When people engage in a thing to which they are unaccustomed the necessity must be urgent. A Peeblesshire couplet embodies the same meaning:—
When people engage in a thing to which they are unaccustomed the necessity must be urgent. A Peeblesshire couplet embodies the same meaning:—
"There's muckle ado when muirland folk ride—Boots and spurs, and a' to provide!"
"There's muckle ado when muirland folk ride—Boots and spurs, and a' to provide!"
There's muckle between the word and the deed.
There's muckle hid meat in a goose's ee.
There's muckle love in bands and bags.
"There's meikle good love in bands and bags,And siller and gowd's a sweet complexion;But beauty and wit, and virtue in rags,Have tint the art of gaining affection."—Tea-Table Miscellany.
"There's meikle good love in bands and bags,And siller and gowd's a sweet complexion;But beauty and wit, and virtue in rags,Have tint the art of gaining affection."
—Tea-Table Miscellany.
There's my thoom, I'll ne'er beguile thee.
This is the name of an old Scottish song, but is often used as a proverb.
This is the name of an old Scottish song, but is often used as a proverb.
There's nae breard like middling breard.
Applied to low-born people who suddenly come to wealth and honour; in allusion to the stalks of corn which spring up on a dunghill.
Applied to low-born people who suddenly come to wealth and honour; in allusion to the stalks of corn which spring up on a dunghill.
There's nae birds this year in last year's nest.
There's nae corn without cauf.
There's nae fey folk's meat in my pat.
There's nae friend like the penny.
There's nae friend to friend in mister.
There's nae fules like auld fules.
"Your auntie's no past the time o' day yet for jumping at a man if she just had the offer. There's no fules like auld fules; and tak ye my word for't, Maister James, neither your lass nor mines cares half as muckle about mautrimony as your aunty."—The Disruption.
"Your auntie's no past the time o' day yet for jumping at a man if she just had the offer. There's no fules like auld fules; and tak ye my word for't, Maister James, neither your lass nor mines cares half as muckle about mautrimony as your aunty."—The Disruption.
There's nae hair sae sma' but has its shadow.
There's nae hawk flees sae high but he will fa' to some lure.
"There's nae ill in a merry mind," quo' the wife when she whistled through the kirk.
There's nae iron sae hard but rust will fret it; there's nae claith sae fine but moths will eat it.
There's nae lack in love.
There's nae reek but there's some heat.
There's nae remede for fear but cut aff the head.
There's nae sel sae dear as our ainsel.
There's nae sport where there's neither auld folk nor bairns.
There's naething for misdeeds but mends.
There's naething sae gude on this side o' time but it might hae been better.
There's naething ill said that's no ill ta'en.
There's naething sae like an honest man as an arrant knave.
There's nae woo sae coorse but it'll take some colour.
There's nane sae blind as them that winna see.
There's nane sae busy as him that has least to do.
There's nane sae deaf as them that winna hear.
There's ne'er a great feast but some fare ill.
There's ower mony nicks in your horn.
That is, you are too knowing or cunning for me.
That is, you are too knowing or cunning for me.
There's plenty o' raible when drink's on the table.
To "raible" is to speak in a riotous, careless, or loose manner.
To "raible" is to speak in a riotous, careless, or loose manner.
There's remede for a' but stark dead.
"For ony malledy ze ken,Except puir love, or than stark deid,Help may be had frae hands of men,Thorow medicines to mak remeid."—The Evergreen.
"For ony malledy ze ken,Except puir love, or than stark deid,Help may be had frae hands of men,Thorow medicines to mak remeid."
—The Evergreen.
There's skill in gruel making.
"There's sma sorrow at our pairting," as the auld mear said to the broken cart.
"'If ye dinna think me fit,' replied Andrew, in a huff, 'to speak like ither folk, gie me my wages, and my board-wages, and I'se gae back to Glasgow—there's sma sorrow at our pairting, as the auld mear said to the broken cart.'"—Rob Roy.
"'If ye dinna think me fit,' replied Andrew, in a huff, 'to speak like ither folk, gie me my wages, and my board-wages, and I'se gae back to Glasgow—there's sma sorrow at our pairting, as the auld mear said to the broken cart.'"—Rob Roy.
There's steel in the needle point, though little o't.
"Spoken when a thing, commendable for its kind, is found fault with for its quantity."—Kelly.
"Spoken when a thing, commendable for its kind, is found fault with for its quantity."—Kelly.
There's the end o' an auld sang.
Or, all the information I can give you.
Or, all the information I can give you.
There's tricks in a' trades but honest horse-couping.
There's twa enoughs, and ye hae got ane o' them.
"That is, big enough and little enough; meaning that he has gotten little enough. An answer to them who, out of modesty, say they have enough."—Kelly.
"That is, big enough and little enough; meaning that he has gotten little enough. An answer to them who, out of modesty, say they have enough."—Kelly.
There's twa things in my mind, and that's the least o' them.
Spoken by a person who declines to give a reason for a thing which he does not wish to do.
Spoken by a person who declines to give a reason for a thing which he does not wish to do.
There was anither gotten the night that you was born.
"If one won't another will."—English.
"If one won't another will."—English.
There was mair lost at Sherramuir, where the Hielandman lost his faither and his mither, and a gude buff belt worth baith o' them.
Spoken jocularly when a person meets with a trifling loss. Sheriffmuir is the name of the field between Stirling and Dunblane, where a disastrous battle between the Scots and English was fought during the rebellion of 1715.
Spoken jocularly when a person meets with a trifling loss. Sheriffmuir is the name of the field between Stirling and Dunblane, where a disastrous battle between the Scots and English was fought during the rebellion of 1715.
There was ne'er a gude toun but there was a dub at the end o't.
Or never a thing so perfect as to be faultless.
Or never a thing so perfect as to be faultless.
There was ne'er a height but had a howe at the bottom o't.
There ne'er was a silly Jocky but there was a silly Jenny.
There was ne'er a thrifty wife wi' a clout about her head.
There was ne'er enough when naething was left.
The scabbit head loesna the kame.
The scholar may waur the maister.
The shortest road's the nearest.
The shortest road's where the company's gude.
The silliest strake has aye the loudest "hech."
This means, literally, that the silliest stroke is accompanied by the loudest exclamation: those who pretend to do most perform least.
This means, literally, that the silliest stroke is accompanied by the loudest exclamation: those who pretend to do most perform least.
The slothfu' man maks a slim fortune.
The smith has aye a spark in his throat.
The smith's mear and the souter's wife are aye warst shod.
The snail is as sune at its rest as the swallow.
The souter gae the sow a kiss; "grumph," quo' she, "it's for a birse."
"Spoken of those whose service we suppose to be mercenary."—Kelly.
"Spoken of those whose service we suppose to be mercenary."—Kelly.
The stoup that gaes often to the well comes hame broken at last.
"The pitcher that goes often to the well leaves either its handle or its spout."—Spanish.
"The pitcher that goes often to the well leaves either its handle or its spout."—Spanish.
The stoutest head bears langest oot.
"The broadsword's pursuer, or plaintiff, as you Englishers ca' it, and the target is defender; the stoutest head bears langest out;—and there's a Hieland plea for ye."—Rob Roy.
"The broadsword's pursuer, or plaintiff, as you Englishers ca' it, and the target is defender; the stoutest head bears langest out;—and there's a Hieland plea for ye."—Rob Roy.
The strongest side taks aye the strongest right.
The sun is nae waur for shining on the midden.
The thatcher said unto his man, "Let's raise this ladder if we can."—"But first let's drink, maister."
"Spoken when one proposes something to be done, and another proposes to take a drink before we begin."—Kelly.
"Spoken when one proposes something to be done, and another proposes to take a drink before we begin."—Kelly.
The thiefer-like the better sodger.
The thing that liesna in your gait breaksna your shins.
The thing that's dune's no to do.
The thing that's fristed's no forgi'en.
The third time's lucky.
The thrift o' you and the woo o' a dog wad mak a braw wab.
A sarcastic manner of informing a person that he is lazy.
A sarcastic manner of informing a person that he is lazy.
The thrift o' you will be the death o' your gudewife.
The time ye're pu'in' runts ye're no setting kail.
The tod keeps aye his ain hole clean.
"'Hout-tout, Dame Elspeth,' said Tibb, 'fear ye naething frae Christie; tods keep their ain holes clean. You kirk-folk make sic a fasherie about men shifting a wee bit for their living!'"—The Monastery.
"'Hout-tout, Dame Elspeth,' said Tibb, 'fear ye naething frae Christie; tods keep their ain holes clean. You kirk-folk make sic a fasherie about men shifting a wee bit for their living!'"—The Monastery.
The tod ne'er sped better than when he gaed his ain errand.
"Every man is most zealous for his own interest. Spoken to advise a man to go about such a business himself."—Kelly.
"Every man is most zealous for his own interest. Spoken to advise a man to go about such a business himself."—Kelly.
The tod ne'er fares better than when he's bann'd.
"Spoken when we are told that such people curse us, which we think is the effect of envy, the companion of felicity. The fox is cursed when he takes our poultry."—Kelly.
"Spoken when we are told that such people curse us, which we think is the effect of envy, the companion of felicity. The fox is cursed when he takes our poultry."—Kelly.
The tod's whalps are ill to tame.
The tree doesna aye fa' at the first strake.
The warld is bound to nae man.
The warst may be tholed when it's kenn'd.
The warst warld that ever was some man won.
The water will ne'er waur the widdie.
The water will never cheat the gallows; of similar meaning to "He that's born to be hanged,"q. v."A neighbour of mine was so fully persuaded of the truth of this proverb, that being in a great storm, and dreadfully afraid, espies in the ship a graceless rake whom he supposed destined to another sort of death, cries out, O Samuel, are you here? why then, we are all safe, and so laid aside his concern."—Kelly.
The water will never cheat the gallows; of similar meaning to "He that's born to be hanged,"q. v.
"A neighbour of mine was so fully persuaded of the truth of this proverb, that being in a great storm, and dreadfully afraid, espies in the ship a graceless rake whom he supposed destined to another sort of death, cries out, O Samuel, are you here? why then, we are all safe, and so laid aside his concern."—Kelly.
The waur luck now the better anither time.
The weakest gangs to the wa'.
The wife's aye welcome that comes wi' a crooked oxter.
That person is always welcome who brings presents. The "oxter" is crooked because the arm is engaged carrying them.
That person is always welcome who brings presents. The "oxter" is crooked because the arm is engaged carrying them.
The wife's ae dochter and the man's ae cow, the taen's ne'er weel and the tither's ne'er fu'.
The willing horse is aye worked to death.
The wolf may lose his teeth, but ne'er his nature.
The word o' an honest man's enough.
The worth o' a thing is best kenned by the want o't.
The worth o' a thing is what it will bring.
The wyte o' war is at kings' doors.
"You and me, Gilhaize, that are but servants, needna fash our heads wi' sic things; the wyte o' wars lie at the doors of kings, and the soldiers are free o' the sin o' them."—Galt's Ringan Gilhaize.
"You and me, Gilhaize, that are but servants, needna fash our heads wi' sic things; the wyte o' wars lie at the doors of kings, and the soldiers are free o' the sin o' them."—Galt's Ringan Gilhaize.
They are eith hindered that are no furdersome.
They who are unwilling to do a thing are easily hindered.
They who are unwilling to do a thing are easily hindered.
They are sad rents that come in wi' tears.
They buy gudes cheap that bring hame naething.
They craw crouse that craw last.
Because they who "craw" last exult that a matter is definitely known to be in their own favour.
Because they who "craw" last exult that a matter is definitely known to be in their own favour.
They hae need o' a canny cook that hae but ae egg to their dinner.
They draw the cat harrow.
"That is, they thwart one another."—Kelly.
"That is, they thwart one another."—Kelly.
"For every lord, as he thought best,Brocht in ane bird to fill the nest;To be ane watcheman to his marrow,They gan to draw at the cat-harrow."—Sir David Lyndsay.
"For every lord, as he thought best,Brocht in ane bird to fill the nest;To be ane watcheman to his marrow,They gan to draw at the cat-harrow."
—Sir David Lyndsay.
They'll flit in the Merse for a hen's gerse.
"They will flit for a matter of very small importance. Formerly in Berwickshire every hind was allowed to keep a few hens; and some of them actually removed for the sake of thehen's keep. Hence the saying."—G. Henderson.
"They will flit for a matter of very small importance. Formerly in Berwickshire every hind was allowed to keep a few hens; and some of them actually removed for the sake of thehen's keep. Hence the saying."—G. Henderson.
They gang far aboot that never meet.
They'll gree better when they gang in by ither kirk doors.
Spoken of two persons who have quarrelled, meaning that they should avoid each other.
Spoken of two persons who have quarrelled, meaning that they should avoid each other.
They maun be sune up that cheat the tod.
They maun hunger in frost that winna work in fresh.
They may dunsh that gie the lunch.
"Dunsh" is a word for which there is no perfect equivalent in English. It means to jog or thrust in a violent manner; but those who know its proper application will see how feeble these meanings are. Jamieson approaches it when he says it is to "push as a mad bull." The proverb here means that they upon whom we depend can do with us as they please.
"Dunsh" is a word for which there is no perfect equivalent in English. It means to jog or thrust in a violent manner; but those who know its proper application will see how feeble these meanings are. Jamieson approaches it when he says it is to "push as a mad bull." The proverb here means that they upon whom we depend can do with us as they please.
They may ken by your beard what ye had on your board.
They need muckle that will be content wi' naething.
They ne'er baked a gude cake but may bake an ill ane.
They ne'er gie wi' the spit but they gat wi' the ladle.
Or they never confer a small favour, or give a trifling gift, but they expect a greater in return.
Or they never confer a small favour, or give a trifling gift, but they expect a greater in return.
They ne'er saw great dainties that thought a haggis a feast.
They're a' ae sow's pick.
Or all one kind—all bad alike.
Or all one kind—all bad alike.
"They're a bonny pair," as the craw said o' his feet.
"They're a bonny pair," as the deil said o' his cloots.
They're a' gude that gies.
They're a' gude that's far awa.
They're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick.
"'For my part,' said Macwheeble, 'I never wish to see a kilt in the country again, nor a red coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it were to shoot a paitrick. They're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick.'"—Waverley.
"'For my part,' said Macwheeble, 'I never wish to see a kilt in the country again, nor a red coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it were to shoot a paitrick. They're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick.'"—Waverley.
They're aye gude will'd o' their horse that hae nane.
"He's free of his fruit that wants an orchard."—English.
"He's free of his fruit that wants an orchard."—English.
They're as thick as three in a bed.
"They're curly and crookit," as the deil said o' his horns.
They're fremit friends that canna be fash'd.
That is, they are strange or false friends who will not allow themselves to be troubled in the least about their relations.
That is, they are strange or false friends who will not allow themselves to be troubled in the least about their relations.
They're keen o' company that taks the dog on their back.
They're lightly harried that hae a' their ain.
They're like the grices, if ye kittle their wame they fa' on their backs.
Synonymous with "Give him an inch and he'll take an ell."—English.
Synonymous with "Give him an inch and he'll take an ell."—English.
They're no a' saints that get the name o't.
They're no to be named in the same day.
Or they are so different that there is no room for comparison.
Or they are so different that there is no room for comparison.
They're queer folk that hae nae failings.
They're scant o' horseflesh that ride on the dog.
They're weel guided that God guides.
They rin fast that deils and lasses drive.
They should kiss the gudewife that wad win the gudeman.
They speak o' my drinking, but ne'er think o' my drouth.
"They censure my doing such a thing who neither consider my occasions of doing it, or what provocations I have had."—Kelly.
"They censure my doing such a thing who neither consider my occasions of doing it, or what provocations I have had."—Kelly.
They that bourd wi' cats may count upon scarts.
They that burn you for a witch will lose their coals.
Applied to stupid people who pretend to be very clever. "Nobody will take you for a conjuror."—English.
Applied to stupid people who pretend to be very clever. "Nobody will take you for a conjuror."—English.
They that come wi' a gift dinna need to stand lang at the door.
They that deal wi' the deil get a dear pennyworth.
They that drink langest live langest.
They that get neist best are no ill aff.
"'Well, my good friend,' said Tyrrel, 'the upshot of all this is, I hope, that I am to stay and have dinner here?' 'What for no?' replied Mrs Dods. 'And that I am to have the Blue room for a night or two—perhaps longer?' 'I dinna ken that,' said the dame. 'The Blue room is the best—and they that get neist best are no ill aff in this warld.'"—St Ronan's Well.
"'Well, my good friend,' said Tyrrel, 'the upshot of all this is, I hope, that I am to stay and have dinner here?' 'What for no?' replied Mrs Dods. 'And that I am to have the Blue room for a night or two—perhaps longer?' 'I dinna ken that,' said the dame. 'The Blue room is the best—and they that get neist best are no ill aff in this warld.'"—St Ronan's Well.
They that get the word o' sune rising may lie a' day.
They that hae maist need o' credit seldom get muckle.
They that herd swine think aye they hear them grumphin'.
They that hide ken where to seek.
"What! the siller?—Ay, ay—trust him for that—they that hide ken best where to find—he wants to wile him out o' his last guinea, and then escape to his ain country, the landlouper."—The Antiquary.
"What! the siller?—Ay, ay—trust him for that—they that hide ken best where to find—he wants to wile him out o' his last guinea, and then escape to his ain country, the landlouper."—The Antiquary.
They that laugh in the morning will greet ere night.
They that lie down for love should rise up for hunger.
They that like the midden see nae motes in't.
They that live langest fetch wood farthest.
They that lose seek, they that find keep.
They that marry in green, their sorrow is sune seen.
"It is rather strange that green, the most natural and agreeable of all colours, should have been connected by superstition with calamity and sorrow.... To this day, in the north of Scotland, no young woman would wear such attire on her wedding day."—Robert Chambers.
"It is rather strange that green, the most natural and agreeable of all colours, should have been connected by superstition with calamity and sorrow.... To this day, in the north of Scotland, no young woman would wear such attire on her wedding day."—Robert Chambers.
They that love maist speak least.
They that never filled a cradle shouldna sit in ane.
"Because such will not consider whether there may be a child in it; whereas they who have had children will be more cautious."—Kelly.
"Because such will not consider whether there may be a child in it; whereas they who have had children will be more cautious."—Kelly.
They that rise wi' the sun hae their wark weel begun.
They that see but your head dinna see a' your height.
"Spoken to men of low stature and high spirits."—Kelly.
"Spoken to men of low stature and high spirits."—Kelly.
They that see you through the day winna break the house for you at night.
This ungallant proverb signifies that the person addressed is not very good-looking.
This ungallant proverb signifies that the person addressed is not very good-looking.
They that sin the sin maun bear the shame.
They that stay in the howe will ne'er mount the height.
They walk fair that naebody finds faut wi'.
They were never fain that fidged, nor fu' that lickit dishes.
"Spoken when people shrug their shoulders, as if it was a sign that they were not content."—Kelly.
"Spoken when people shrug their shoulders, as if it was a sign that they were not content."—Kelly.
They were never first at the wark wha bade God speed the wark.
They were scant o' bairns that brought you up.
They wha are early up, and hae nae business, hae either an ill wife, an ill bed, or an ill conscience.
They wist as weel that didna speir.
There are those who are more concerned for my welfare than you are, but do not make so many outward protestations of it.
There are those who are more concerned for my welfare than you are, but do not make so many outward protestations of it.
They wyte you an' you're no wyteless.
Things maun aye be someway, even if they're crookit.
Thirteen o' you may gang to the dizzen.
This and better may do, but this and waur will never do.
This world's a widdle as weel as a riddle.
"'A widdle,' a wriggling motion; metaphorically, a struggle or bustle."—Jamieson.
"'A widdle,' a wriggling motion; metaphorically, a struggle or bustle."—Jamieson.
Thole weel is gude for burning.
"Patience and posset-drink cure all maladies."—English.
"Patience and posset-drink cure all maladies."—English.
Though auld and wise still tak advice.
Thoughts are free, and if I daurna say I may think.
Thoughts beguile maidens.
Though ye tether time and tide, love and light ye canna hide.
Three can keep a secret when twa are awa.
Three failures and a fire make a Scotsman's fortune.
Thrift's gude revenue.
Time and thinking tame the strongest grief.
Time and tide for nae man bide.
Time tint is never found.
Time tries a', as winter tries the kail.
Time tries whinstanes.
Tine heart, tine a'.
"'I couldna maybe hae made muckle o' a bargain wi' yon lang callant,' said David, when thus complimented on his valour; 'but when ye deal wi' thae folk, it's tine heart, tine a'.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
"'I couldna maybe hae made muckle o' a bargain wi' yon lang callant,' said David, when thus complimented on his valour; 'but when ye deal wi' thae folk, it's tine heart, tine a'.'"—Heart of Midlothian.
Tine needle, tine darg.
If you lose your needle you lose your day's work. Spoken to shiftless persons who complain loudly on the least trifle going wrong with them.
If you lose your needle you lose your day's work. Spoken to shiftless persons who complain loudly on the least trifle going wrong with them.
Tine thimble, tine thrift.
Tit for tat's fair play.
To fazarts hard hazards are death ere they come nigh.
"Then feir nocht, nor heir nocht,Dreid,danger, ordespair,To fazarts hard hazartsIs deid or they cum thair."—Cherrie and the Slae.
"Then feir nocht, nor heir nocht,Dreid,danger, ordespair,To fazarts hard hazartsIs deid or they cum thair."
—Cherrie and the Slae.
To hain is to hae.
Toom barrels mak maist din.
Toom be your meal pock, and mine ne'er hang on your pin.
Toom stalls mak biting horses.
Touch a gaw'd horse on the back an he'll fling.
"Spoken when you have said something to a man that intrenches upon his reputation, and so have put him in a passion."—Kelly.
"Spoken when you have said something to a man that intrenches upon his reputation, and so have put him in a passion."—Kelly.
To work for naething maks folk dead-sweer.
"'Dead-sweer,' extremely averse to exertion."—Jamieson.
"'Dead-sweer,' extremely averse to exertion."—Jamieson.
Traitors' words ne'er yet hurt honest cause.
Tramp on a snail, and she'll shoot oot her horns.
Tramp on a worm and she'll turn her head.
Tramping straw makes trottin' owsen.
Travell'd men are sindle trow'd.
Trot faither, trot mither; how can the foal amble?
"It is hard for those who have had a bad parentage, and, consequently, an ill education, to be good."—Kelly.
"It is hard for those who have had a bad parentage, and, consequently, an ill education, to be good."—Kelly.
True blue will never stain, but dirty red will dye again.
True love is aye blate.
True love kythes in time o' need.
"Kythes," that is, shows itself.
"Kythes," that is, shows itself.
True love's the waft o' life, but it whiles comes through a sorrowfu' shuttle.
Truth and honesty keep the crown o' the causey.
Truth and oil come aye uppermost.
Truth hauds lang the gate.
Try before you trust.
Try your friend ere you need him.
Twa blacks winna mak ae white.
Twa cats and ae mouse, twa mice in ae house, twa dogs and ae bane, ne'er will agree in ane.
Twa fools in ae house are a pair ower mony.
Twa gudes seldom meet—what's gude for the plant is ill for the peat.
Twa hands may do in ae dish, but ne'er in ae purse.
"Twa heads are better than ane," as the wife said when she and her dog gaed to the market.
Twa heads are better than ane, though they're but sheep's anes.
Spoken when a person offers a suggestion to another who is considering how he will do a thing.
Spoken when a person offers a suggestion to another who is considering how he will do a thing.
Twa heads may lie upon ae cod, and nane ken whaur the luck lies.
"Spoken when either husband or wife is dead, and the sorrowing party goes back in the world after."—Kelly.
"Spoken when either husband or wife is dead, and the sorrowing party goes back in the world after."—Kelly.
Twa hungry meltiths makes the third a glutton.
Twa things ne'er be angry wi'—what ye can help and what ye canna.
Twa words maun gang to that bargain.
Addressed to a person who is in too great a hurry to conclude a bargain, indirectly implying that the speaker is not quite satisfied with the article or terms.
Addressed to a person who is in too great a hurry to conclude a bargain, indirectly implying that the speaker is not quite satisfied with the article or terms.
Twine tow, your mother was a gude spinner.
"Spoken to those who curse you or rail upon you, as if you would say, take what you say to yourself."—Kelly.
"Spoken to those who curse you or rail upon you, as if you would say, take what you say to yourself."—Kelly.
U
ncofolk's no to mird wi'.
"Ye ken yoursel best where ye tint the end—Sae ye maun foremost gae the miss to mend.'Tis nae to mird wi' unco folk, ye see,Nor is the blear drawn easy o'er their e'e."—Ross's Helenore.
"Ye ken yoursel best where ye tint the end—Sae ye maun foremost gae the miss to mend.'Tis nae to mird wi' unco folk, ye see,Nor is the blear drawn easy o'er their e'e."
—Ross's Helenore.
Under water dearth, under snaw bread.
If a field has been inundated with water the crop will be spoiled; but if covered with snow it will be improved, as the soil is warmed and nourished thereby.
If a field has been inundated with water the crop will be spoiled; but if covered with snow it will be improved, as the soil is warmed and nourished thereby.
Unseen, unrued.
"Unsicker, unstable," quo' the wave to the cable.
"'Unsicker,' not secure, not safe, unsteady."—Jamieson.
"'Unsicker,' not secure, not safe, unsteady."—Jamieson.
Upon my ain expense, as the man built the dyke.
"Taken from an inscription upon a churchyard in Scotland—
"Taken from an inscription upon a churchyard in Scotland—
"'I, John Moody, cives Abredonensis,Builded this kerk-yerd of fitty (Foot-dee?) upon my own expenses.'"—Kelly.
"'I, John Moody, cives Abredonensis,Builded this kerk-yerd of fitty (Foot-dee?) upon my own expenses.'"
—Kelly.
Untimeous spurring spoils the steed.
Up hill spare me, doun hill tak tent o' thee.
Use maks perfyteness.
The Scottish version of the very common saying, "Practice makes perfect."
The Scottish version of the very common saying, "Practice makes perfect."
W
adye gar us trow that the mune's made o' green cheese, or that spade shafts bear plooms?
That is, Would you really try to make us believe anything so false or absurd as we know such a thing to be?
That is, Would you really try to make us believe anything so false or absurd as we know such a thing to be?
Waes the wife that wants the tongue, but weel's the man that gets her.
Waes unite faes.
Wae tae him that lippens to ithers for tippence.
Or, who trusts to another for a small obligation.
Or, who trusts to another for a small obligation.
Wae tae the wame that has a wilfu' maister.
"Wae worth ill company," quo' the daw o' Camnethan.
"Spoken when we have been drawn by ill company into an ill thing. A jack-daw in Camnethan (Cambusnethan) learned this word from a guest in the house when he was upon his penitentials after hard drinking."—Kelly.
"Spoken when we have been drawn by ill company into an ill thing. A jack-daw in Camnethan (Cambusnethan) learned this word from a guest in the house when he was upon his penitentials after hard drinking."—Kelly.
Walk as your shoes will let ye.
Waly, waly! bairns are bonny; ane's enough and twa's ower mony.
Want o' cunning's nae shame.
Wanton kittens mak douce cats.
Want o' warld's gear aft sunders fond hearts.
Want o' wit is waur than want o' gear.
Want siller, want fish.
Wark bears witness wha does weel.
War maks thieves and peace hangs them.
War's sweet tae them that never tried it.
"'A soldier! then you have slain and burnt, and sacked, and spoiled?' 'I winna say,' replied Edie, 'that I have been better than my neighbours—it's a rough trade—war's sweet to them that never tried it.'"—The Antiquary.
"'A soldier! then you have slain and burnt, and sacked, and spoiled?' 'I winna say,' replied Edie, 'that I have been better than my neighbours—it's a rough trade—war's sweet to them that never tried it.'"—The Antiquary.
Waste water, waste better.
Watch harm, catch harm.
Wealth has made mair men covetous than covetousness has made men wealthy.
Wealth, like want, ruins mony.
Wealth maks wit waver.
"'Weel, weel,' said the banker, 'that may be a' as you say, sir, and nae doubt wealth makes wit waver; but the country's wealthy, that canna be denied, and wealth, sir, ye ken——' 'I know wealth makes itself wings,' answered the cynical stranger; 'but I am not quite sure we have it even now.'"—St Ronan's Well.
"'Weel, weel,' said the banker, 'that may be a' as you say, sir, and nae doubt wealth makes wit waver; but the country's wealthy, that canna be denied, and wealth, sir, ye ken——' 'I know wealth makes itself wings,' answered the cynical stranger; 'but I am not quite sure we have it even now.'"—St Ronan's Well.
Weapons bode peace.
We are a' life-like and death-like.
We are aye tae learn as lang as we live.
We are bound to be honest, and no to be rich.
We can live without our kin, but no without our neighbours.
We canna baith sup and blaw.
That is, we cannot do two things at once.
That is, we cannot do two things at once.
We can poind for debt, but no for unkindness.
We can shape their wylie-coat, but no their weird.
Literally, we can shape a person's article of clothing, but cannot foretell his destiny.
Literally, we can shape a person's article of clothing, but cannot foretell his destiny.
Wedding and ill wintering tame baith man and beast.
Wee things fley cowards.
Weel begun is half done.
Weel is that weel does.
Weel kens the mouse when pussie's in.
"When the cat's away the mice will play."—English.
"When the cat's away the mice will play."—English.
"The farmer now comes ben the house,Whilk o' their gabbin' makes a truce,The lads and lassies a' grow douce,And spare their din;For true's the tale, 'Weel kens the mouseWhen pussie's in!'"—The Farmer's Ha'.
"The farmer now comes ben the house,Whilk o' their gabbin' makes a truce,The lads and lassies a' grow douce,And spare their din;For true's the tale, 'Weel kens the mouseWhen pussie's in!'"
—The Farmer's Ha'.
"Weel!" quo' Willie, when his ain wife dang him.
We presume that this was intended by Willie as an expression of indifference at the punishment which was being administered to him.
We presume that this was intended by Willie as an expression of indifference at the punishment which was being administered to him.
Weel's him and wae's him that has a bishop in his kin.
"Because such may be advanced, and perhaps disappointed."—Kelly.
"Because such may be advanced, and perhaps disappointed."—Kelly.
Weel won corn should be housed ere the morn.
"'Won corn,' corn dried by exposure to the air."—Jamieson.
"'Won corn,' corn dried by exposure to the air."—Jamieson.
Weel worth a' that gars the plough draw.
Anglice, Good luck to everything by which we earn money.
Anglice, Good luck to everything by which we earn money.
"We hounds slew the hare," quo' the messan.
Welcome's the best dish in the kitchen.
We'll bark oursels ere we buy dogs sae dear.
Addressed to persons who ask exorbitant prices for their wares: meaning that sooner than agree to their terms, we will do without the article altogether.
Addressed to persons who ask exorbitant prices for their wares: meaning that sooner than agree to their terms, we will do without the article altogether.
We'll bear wi' the stink when it brings in the clink.
We'll meet ere hills meet.
"Men may meet: but mountains never."—English.
"Men may meet: but mountains never."—English.
We'll ne'er big sandy bourochs thegither.
"This refers," says Jamieson, "to the custom of children building houses in the sand for sport." The proverb means, after such an occurrence we need never expect to be on terms of intimacy again.
"This refers," says Jamieson, "to the custom of children building houses in the sand for sport." The proverb means, after such an occurrence we need never expect to be on terms of intimacy again.
We maun a' gang ae gate.
"'Ay—and is it even sae?' said Meg; 'and has the puir bairn been sae soon removed frae this fashious world? Ay, ay, we maun a' gang ae gate—crackit quart-stoups and geisen'd barrels—leaky quaighs are we a', and canna keep in the liquor of life—Ohon, sirs!'"—St Ronan's Well.
"'Ay—and is it even sae?' said Meg; 'and has the puir bairn been sae soon removed frae this fashious world? Ay, ay, we maun a' gang ae gate—crackit quart-stoups and geisen'd barrels—leaky quaighs are we a', and canna keep in the liquor of life—Ohon, sirs!'"—St Ronan's Well.
We maun live by the living, and no by the dead.
We maun tak the crap as it grows.
We may ken your meaning by your mumping.
"To mump, to hint, to aim at."—Jamieson.
"To mump, to hint, to aim at."—Jamieson.
"Ye may speak plainer, lass, gin ye incline,As, by your mumping, I maist ken your mind."—Shirref.
"Ye may speak plainer, lass, gin ye incline,As, by your mumping, I maist ken your mind."
—Shirref.
We ne'er ken the worth o' water till the well gae dry.
Were it no for hope the heart wad break.
Wersh parritch, neither gude to fry, boil, or sup cauld.
West wind north about never hauds lang out.
Wet your wizen or else it'll gizen.