Spoken to a person who is telling a story. It may be either meant kindly or as a signification that the story is too "long-winded."
Spoken to a person who is telling a story. It may be either meant kindly or as a signification that the story is too "long-winded."
Wha burns rags will want a winding-sheet.
Wha can haud wha will awa?
Wha can help misluck?
"Wha can help sickness?" quo' the wife when she lay in the gutter.
Wha canna gie will little get.
Wha comes oftener, and brings you less?
Spoken jocularly by a person who is in the habit of visiting a friend frequently.
Spoken jocularly by a person who is in the habit of visiting a friend frequently.
Wha daur bell the cat?
In addition to the fabulous illustration of the mice and the cat, this proverb has also an historical fact attached to it, which is well known in Scotland. The Scottish nobles of the time of James the Third proposed to meet at Stirling in a body, and take Spence, the king's favourite, and hang him. At a preliminary consultation, Lord Gray remarked, "It is well said, but wha will bell the cat?" The Earl of Angus undertook the task—accomplished it—and till his dying day was called Archibald Bell-the-cat.
In addition to the fabulous illustration of the mice and the cat, this proverb has also an historical fact attached to it, which is well known in Scotland. The Scottish nobles of the time of James the Third proposed to meet at Stirling in a body, and take Spence, the king's favourite, and hang him. At a preliminary consultation, Lord Gray remarked, "It is well said, but wha will bell the cat?" The Earl of Angus undertook the task—accomplished it—and till his dying day was called Archibald Bell-the-cat.
Wha may woo without cost?
Wha never climbs never fa's.
What a'body says maun be true.
For "There's never much talk of a thing but there's some truth in it."—Italian.
For "There's never much talk of a thing but there's some truth in it."—Italian.
What better is the house where the daw rises soon?
"Spoken often by mistresses to their maids when they have been early up, and done little work."—Kelly."Early up, and never the nearer."—English.
"Spoken often by mistresses to their maids when they have been early up, and done little work."—Kelly.
"Early up, and never the nearer."—English.
What carlins hain, cats eat.
What fizzes in the mou' winna fill the wame.
What is pleasant to the palate may be very unsubstantial for the stomach.
What is pleasant to the palate may be very unsubstantial for the stomach.
What maks you sae rumgunshach and me sae curcuddoch?
Literally, why are you so rude or unkind to me when I am so anxious to please or be kind to you?
Literally, why are you so rude or unkind to me when I am so anxious to please or be kind to you?
What may be done at ony time will be done at nae time.
What may be mayna be.
What puts that in your head that didna put the sturdy wi't?
"Spoken to them that speak foolishly, or tell a story that you thought they had not known."—Kelly.
"Spoken to them that speak foolishly, or tell a story that you thought they had not known."—Kelly.
What's gotten ower the deil's back is spent below his belly.
What's gude for sick John's gude for hail Janet.
What's in your wame's no in your testament.
An injunction to a person to eat more: if they eat what is before them they will not leave it in their will.
An injunction to a person to eat more: if they eat what is before them they will not leave it in their will.
What's like a dorty maiden when she's auld?
"'Dorty,' applied to a female who is saucy to her suitors."—Jamieson.
"'Dorty,' applied to a female who is saucy to her suitors."—Jamieson.
What's my case the day may be yours the morn.
What's nane o' my profit shall be nane o' my peril.
That is, I must decline to run any risk if I do not share the profit.
That is, I must decline to run any risk if I do not share the profit.
"What's no i' the bag will be i' the broo," quo' the Hielandman when he dirked the haggis.
What's pleasure to you bodes ill to me.
An epitome of Æsop's "Boys and the Frogs."
An epitome of Æsop's "Boys and the Frogs."
What's waur than ill luck?
What's your horse the day, may be his mare the morn.
What's yours is mine, what's mine's my ain.
A maxim occasionally adopted by a selfish husband to enable him to distinguish his own property from that of his wife.
A maxim occasionally adopted by a selfish husband to enable him to distinguish his own property from that of his wife.
What we first learn we best ken.
What will ye get frae an oily pat but stink?
What winna do by might do by slight.
What winna mak a pat may mak a pat lid.
What ye do when you're drunk ye may pay for when you're dry.
What ye gie shines aye, what ye get smells ill next day.
What ye want up and doun you hae hither-and-yont.
"'Hither-and-yont,' topsy turvy; in a disjointed state."—Jamieson.If you have not the thing complete, you have everything necessary for making it so.
"'Hither-and-yont,' topsy turvy; in a disjointed state."—Jamieson.
If you have not the thing complete, you have everything necessary for making it so.
What ye win at that ye may lick aff a het girdle.
The inference is that his prospect of success is very poor.
The inference is that his prospect of success is very poor.
What your ee sees your heart greens for.
When ae door steeks anither opens.
As one door shuts another opens: as one opportunity is lost another occurs.
As one door shuts another opens: as one opportunity is lost another occurs.
When a ewie's drowned she's dead.
"Spoken when a thing is lost and past recovery."—Kelly.
"Spoken when a thing is lost and past recovery."—Kelly.
When a fool finds a horseshoe he thinks aye the like to do.
When a' fruits fail, welcome haws.
When a hundred sheep rin, how mony cloots clatter?
When a' men speak, nae man hears.
When ane winna, twa canna cast out.
When a's in, and the slap dit, rise herd and let the dog sit.
"'Slap dit,' gate shut. Jocosely spoken to herd boys after harvest, as if there was no further use for them."—Kelly.
"'Slap dit,' gate shut. Jocosely spoken to herd boys after harvest, as if there was no further use for them."—Kelly.
When death lifts the curtain it's time to be startin'.
When drink's in wit's out.
When folk's missed then they're moaned.
When friends meet hearts warm.
When gude cheer is lacking friends go a-packing.
When he dees of age ye may quake for fear.
When I did weel I heard it never; when I did ill I heard it ever.
"A reflection of servants upon hard and passionate masters, who are liberal in their reproofs, but sparing in their commendations."—Kelly.
"A reflection of servants upon hard and passionate masters, who are liberal in their reproofs, but sparing in their commendations."—Kelly.
When ilka ane gets his ain the thief will get the widdie.
When lairds break carls get lands.
"When the tree falls every one gathers sticks."—Danish.
"When the tree falls every one gathers sticks."—Danish.
When love cools fauts are seen.
When my head's doun my house is theiked.
"Spoken by those who are free from debts, concerns, or future projects: as common tradesmen, day labourers, and servants, who work their work and get their wages, and commonly are the happiest part of mankind."—Kelly.
"Spoken by those who are free from debts, concerns, or future projects: as common tradesmen, day labourers, and servants, who work their work and get their wages, and commonly are the happiest part of mankind."—Kelly.
When petticoats woo breeks come speed.
"Time to marry when the maid wooes the man; parallel to that Cheshire proverb, 'It is time to yoke when the cart comes to the caples,'i.e., horses."—Ray.
"Time to marry when the maid wooes the man; parallel to that Cheshire proverb, 'It is time to yoke when the cart comes to the caples,'i.e., horses."—Ray.
When poverty comes in at the door love flies out at the window.
When pride's in the van, begging's in the rear.
When she doesna scold she shores.
That is, when she does not scold directly, she threatens to do it.
That is, when she does not scold directly, she threatens to do it.
When the bag's fu' the drone gets up.
When the barn's fu' ye may thresh afore the door.
When the burn doesna babble, it's either ower toom or ower fu'.
When the cow's in the clout she soon runs out.
Meaning that when the cow has been sold and converted into money, the proceeds soon come to an end, as "Ready money will away."—English.
Meaning that when the cow has been sold and converted into money, the proceeds soon come to an end, as "Ready money will away."—English.
When the craw flees her tail follows.
When the gudeman drinks to the gudewife a' wad be weel; when the gudewife drinks to the gudeman a's weel.
This will give English readers but a poor opinion of conjugal courtesy in Scotland—that when a man drinks to the good health of his wife, it is more from fear than from affection—more from a desire that she should have things properly done when they are not so.
This will give English readers but a poor opinion of conjugal courtesy in Scotland—that when a man drinks to the good health of his wife, it is more from fear than from affection—more from a desire that she should have things properly done when they are not so.
When the gudeman's awa the board claith's tint; when the gudewife's awa the keys are tint.
Kelly prints this as two sayings, and says of them respectively—First, "Because the commons will then be short."Second, "For if she be not at home you'll get no drink."
Kelly prints this as two sayings, and says of them respectively—First, "Because the commons will then be short."Second, "For if she be not at home you'll get no drink."
When the heart's fu' o' lust the mou's fu' o' leasing.
When the heart's past hope the face is past shame.
When the hen gaes to the cock the birds may get a knock.
"Spoken when widows, who design a second marriage, prove harsh to their children."—Kelly.
"Spoken when widows, who design a second marriage, prove harsh to their children."—Kelly.
When the heart's fu' the tongue canna speak.
When the horse is at the gallop the bridle's ower late.
When the man's fire and the wife's tow, the deil comes in and blaws't in lowe.
When the pat's fu' it'll boil ower.
When the pea's in bloom the mussel's toom.
Where the pig's broken let the sherds lie.
"A proverbial phrase, applied to death, as expressive of indifference with respect to the place where the body may be interred."—Jamieson.
"A proverbial phrase, applied to death, as expressive of indifference with respect to the place where the body may be interred."—Jamieson.
Where the scythe cuts, and the sock rives, hae done wi' fairies and bee-bykes.
"Meaning that the ploughing, or even the mowing, of the ground tends to extirpate alike the earth-bee and the fairy. In various places, the fairies are described as having been seen on some particular occasion to gather together and take a formal farewell of the district, when it had become, from agricultural changes, unfitted for their residence."—Robert Chambers.
"Meaning that the ploughing, or even the mowing, of the ground tends to extirpate alike the earth-bee and the fairy. In various places, the fairies are described as having been seen on some particular occasion to gather together and take a formal farewell of the district, when it had become, from agricultural changes, unfitted for their residence."—Robert Chambers.
When the tod preaches tak tent o' the lambs.
"When the fox preaches, take care of the geese."—English.
"When the fox preaches, take care of the geese."—English.
When the tod wins to the wood he caresna how mony keek at his tail.
When the wame's fu' the banes wad be at rest.
When the wame's fu' the tongue wags.
"Wi' spirit bauld they work, I trow,And mony a strange tale they tell now,Of ilka thing that's braw or new,They never fag;Auld proverb says, 'When wames are fu'The tongues maun wag.'"—The Har'st Rig.
"Wi' spirit bauld they work, I trow,And mony a strange tale they tell now,Of ilka thing that's braw or new,They never fag;Auld proverb says, 'When wames are fu'The tongues maun wag.'"
—The Har'st Rig.
When the will's ready the feet's light.
When we want, friends are scant.
When wine sinks words soom.
When ye are poor, naebody kens ye; when ye are rich, a'body lends ye.
When ye are weel, haud yoursel sae.
When ye ca' the dog out o' your ain kail-yaird, dinna ca't into mine.
When ye can suit your shanks to my shoon ye may speak.
When you are placed in a position similar to mine you will be competent to speak on the subject.
When you are placed in a position similar to mine you will be competent to speak on the subject.
When ye christen the bairn ye should ken what to ca't.
When you're gaun and comin' the gate's no toom.
When you're ser'd a' the geese are watered.
When your hair's white, ye wad hae it lockering.
"'Locker,' curled. Spoken of one who is immoderate in his desires."—Jamieson.
"'Locker,' curled. Spoken of one who is immoderate in his desires."—Jamieson.
When your neighbour's house is in danger tak tent o' your ain.
Where drums beat laws are dumb.
Where the buck's bound there he may bleat.
"Men must bear these hardships to which they are bound either by force or compact."—Kelly.
"Men must bear these hardships to which they are bound either by force or compact."—Kelly.
Where the deer's slain the blude will lie.
Where the head gaes the tail will follow.
Where there are gentles there are aye aff-fa'in's.
There is such abundance of good prepared, that something may be reasonably expected for the poor. It may also be a delicate allusion to the failings of the aristocracy.
There is such abundance of good prepared, that something may be reasonably expected for the poor. It may also be a delicate allusion to the failings of the aristocracy.
Where there's muckle courtesy there's little kindness.
Where there's naething the king tines his right.
While ae gab's teething anither's growing teethless.
Whiles you, whiles me, sae gaes the bailierie.
"Spoken when persons and parties get authority by turns."—Kelly.
"Spoken when persons and parties get authority by turns."—Kelly.
White legs wad aye be rused.
Whitely things are aye tender.
White siller's wrought in black pitch.
Wi' an empty hand nae man can hawks lure.
"If you would have anything done for you, you must give something, for people will not serve you for nothing."—Kelly.
"If you would have anything done for you, you must give something, for people will not serve you for nothing."—Kelly.
Wide lugs and a short tongue are best.
Wide will wear, but tight will tear.
Addressed to those who complain that a new article of dress is too wide for them.
Addressed to those who complain that a new article of dress is too wide for them.
Wiles help weak folk.
Wilfu' waste maks woefu' want.
Will and wit strive wi' you.
Wink at sma' fauts, ye hae great anes yoursel.
Winter thunder bodes summer hunger.
Wipe wi' the water and wash wi' the towel.
Wiser men than you are caught by wiles.
Wishers and woulders are poor house hauders.
Wit bought maks wise folk.
Wit is worth a weel-turned leg.
Wives maun be had whether gude or bad.
Wives maun hae their wills while they live, for they mak nane when they dee.
Women and bairns layne what they ken na.
That is, conceal what they know not.
That is, conceal what they know not.
Women and wine, dice and deceit, mak wealth sma' and want great.
Women laugh when they can, and greet when they will.
Women's wark is never dune.
Wood in a wilderness, moss on a mountain, and wit in a poor man's pow, are little thought o'.
Woo sellers ken aye woo buyers.
"Roguish people know their own consorts."—Kelly.
"Roguish people know their own consorts."—Kelly.
Wonder at your auld shoon when ye hae gotten your new.
A pert reply to persons who say they wonder how you could have done so and so.
A pert reply to persons who say they wonder how you could have done so and so.
Words are but wind, but seein's believing.
Words gang wi' the wind, but dunts are out o' season.
Work legs and win legs, hain legs and tine legs.
Worth may be blamed, but ne'er be shamed.
Wrang count is nae payment.
Wrang has nae warrant.
Wyte your teeth if your tail be sma'.
Y
ebreed o' auld maids, ye look high.
Ye breed o' gude maut, ye're lang o' comin'.
Ye breed o' Lady Mary, when you're gude ye're ower gude.
"A drunken man begg'd Lady Mary to help him on his horse, and having made many attempts to no purpose, he always reiterated the same petition; at length he jumped quite over. 'O, Lady Mary,' said he, 'when thou art good, thou art ower good.'"—Kelly.
"A drunken man begg'd Lady Mary to help him on his horse, and having made many attempts to no purpose, he always reiterated the same petition; at length he jumped quite over. 'O, Lady Mary,' said he, 'when thou art good, thou art ower good.'"—Kelly.
Ye breed o' our laird; ye'll no do right, and ye'll tak nae wrang.
Ye breed o' Saughton swine, ye're neb's never oot o' an ill turn.
Ye breed o' the baxters, ye loe your neighbour's browst better than your ain batch.
Ye breed o' the chapman, ye're aye to handsel.
"Spoken to those who ask us hansel (that is, the first bit in the morning, the first money for their parcels of wares, or the like). Taken from pedlars who, coming into a house, will say, 'Give us hansel.'"—Kelly.
"Spoken to those who ask us hansel (that is, the first bit in the morning, the first money for their parcels of wares, or the like). Taken from pedlars who, coming into a house, will say, 'Give us hansel.'"—Kelly.
Ye breed o' the chapman, ye're never oot o' your gate.
Spoken to those who do business wherever they go.
Spoken to those who do business wherever they go.
Ye breed o' the craw's tail, ye grow backwards.
Ye breed o' the gowk, ye hae ne'er a rhyme but ane.
Or you are always talking on one subject.
Or you are always talking on one subject.
Ye breed o' the gudeman's mither, ye're aye in the gate.
Ye breed o' the herd's wife, ye busk at e'en.
Ye breed o' the miller's dochter, that speir'd what tree groats grew on.
"Spoken when saucy fellows, bred of mean parentage, pretend ignorance of what they were bred with."—Kelly.
"Spoken when saucy fellows, bred of mean parentage, pretend ignorance of what they were bred with."—Kelly.
Ye breed o' the tod's bairns, if ane be gude, they're a' gude.
Ye breed o' the tod, ye grow grey before ye grow gude.
Ye breed o' the witches, ye can do nae gude to yoursel.
Ye breed o' water-kail and cock-lairds, ye need muckle service.
Used by servants whose employers are troublesome.
Used by servants whose employers are troublesome.
Ye ca' hardest at the nail that drives fastest.
Meaning that a person pretends to work much harder than is really required.
Meaning that a person pretends to work much harder than is really required.
Ye cangle about uncoft kids.
Literally, quarrel about unbought goods.
Literally, quarrel about unbought goods.
Ye canna do but ye ower-do.
Ye canna fare weel but ye cry roast-meat.
"Bolt thy fine meal, and eat good paste without report or trumpet blast. They that are thirsty drink silently."—French.
"Bolt thy fine meal, and eat good paste without report or trumpet blast. They that are thirsty drink silently."—French.
Ye canna gather berries aff a whinbush.
Ye canna get leave to thrive for thrang.
Literally, you are so busy that you have no time to get rich.
Literally, you are so busy that you have no time to get rich.
Ye canna mak a silk purse out o' a sow's lug.
Ye canna preach oot o' your ain pu'pit.
Applied to persons who are diffident in the house of a stranger, or who are backward in describing an article out of their usual way of business.
Applied to persons who are diffident in the house of a stranger, or who are backward in describing an article out of their usual way of business.
Ye canna put an auld head upon young shouthers.
Ye canna see the wood for trees.
On a par with the man who went to London, but could not see the town for houses!
On a par with the man who went to London, but could not see the town for houses!
Ye come o' the house o' Harletillem.
"To 'harle,' to draw to one's-self by gripping or violent means."—Jamieson.
"To 'harle,' to draw to one's-self by gripping or violent means."—Jamieson.
Ye come o' the M'Taks, but no o' the M'Gies.
That is, you take all you can get, but take care to give nothing.
That is, you take all you can get, but take care to give nothing.
Ye come to the gait's house to thig woo.
Or, you come for a thing which I have not to give. "You beg of him who is ready to steal."—English.
Or, you come for a thing which I have not to give. "You beg of him who is ready to steal."—English.
Ye crack crousely wi' your bannet on.
A hint to a person that his conduct is too familiar.
A hint to a person that his conduct is too familiar.
Ye cut before the point.
Ye cut lang whangs aff ither folk's leather.
Spoken to persons who are very liberal with things which do not belong to them.
Spoken to persons who are very liberal with things which do not belong to them.
Ye daur weel but ye downa.
Or try to do well, but cannot.
Or try to do well, but cannot.
Ye didna draw sae weel when my mear was in the mire.
You did not assist me so much as I now assist you.
You did not assist me so much as I now assist you.
Ye didna lick your lips since ye leed last.
Ye drive the plough before the owsen.
Ye fand it where the Hielandman fand the tangs.
That was, in their proper place, at the fireside. A proverbial manner of saying that a thing has been stolen, in reply to those who say they found it.
That was, in their proper place, at the fireside. A proverbial manner of saying that a thing has been stolen, in reply to those who say they found it.
Ye fike it awa, like auld wives baking.
"'To fike,' to dally about a business; to lose time by procrastination while appearing to be busy."—Jamieson.
"'To fike,' to dally about a business; to lose time by procrastination while appearing to be busy."—Jamieson.
Ye gae far about seeking the nearest.
Ye gang round by Lanark for fear Linton dogs bite you.
Ye gae gude counsel, but he's a fool that taks 't.
Ye glower like a cat oot o' a whinbush.
Ye got ower muckle o' your ain will, and ye're the waur o't.
Ye had aye a gude whittle at your belt.
Ye hae a conscience like Coldingham common.
"Coldingham moor, or common, was an undivided waste of above 6000 acres. The saying is applied to persons of lax principles, who can accommodate their consciences to all circumstances."—G. Henderson.
"Coldingham moor, or common, was an undivided waste of above 6000 acres. The saying is applied to persons of lax principles, who can accommodate their consciences to all circumstances."—G. Henderson.
Ye hae a lang nose, and yet ye're cut lugget.
In appearance you have an advantage in one way, but not in another.
In appearance you have an advantage in one way, but not in another.
Ye hae a ready mou' for a ripe cherry.
Ye hae a saw for a' sairs.
Ye hae a streak o' carl hemp in you.
Figuratively this means that a person possesses firmness, or strength of mind.
Figuratively this means that a person possesses firmness, or strength of mind.
Ye hae aye a foot oot o' the langle.
Ye hae as muckle pride as wad ser' a score o' clergy.
Ye hae baith your meat and your mense.
Applied to a person who has invited another to dine with him, but who has refused, or failed to make his appearance; meaning that you have both the meat he would have eaten, and the honour of having invited him.
Applied to a person who has invited another to dine with him, but who has refused, or failed to make his appearance; meaning that you have both the meat he would have eaten, and the honour of having invited him.
Ye hae been gotten gathering nits, ye speak in clusters.
Ye hae been lang on little eird.
Ye hae to be pitied and prayed for, either to end ye or mend ye.
Ye hae been smelling the bung.
That is, you have been tippling.
That is, you have been tippling.
Ye hae brought the pack to the pins.
"You have dwindled away your stock."—Kelly.
"You have dwindled away your stock."—Kelly.
Ye hae ca'd your pigs to an ill market.
Ye hae come aff at the loupin-on-stane.
"'Loupin-on-stane,' a stone, or several stones, raised one above another, like a flight of steps, for assisting one to get on horseback. Metaphysically, to leave off any business in the same state as when it was begun; also, to terminate a dispute without the slightest change of mind in either party."—Jamieson.
"'Loupin-on-stane,' a stone, or several stones, raised one above another, like a flight of steps, for assisting one to get on horseback. Metaphysically, to leave off any business in the same state as when it was begun; also, to terminate a dispute without the slightest change of mind in either party."—Jamieson.
Ye have fasted lang, and worried on a midge.
Ye hae come in time to tine a darg.
To "tine a darg," is to lose a day's work: you have arrived too late.
To "tine a darg," is to lose a day's work: you have arrived too late.
Ye hae found a mear's nest, and laugh at the eggs.
Ye hae gien the wolf the wedders to keep.
"You have entrusted a thing to one who will lose it, spoil it, or use it himself."—Kelly.
"You have entrusted a thing to one who will lose it, spoil it, or use it himself."—Kelly.
Ye hae got a stipend—get a kirk when ye like.
Ye hae got baith the skaith and the scorn.
Ye hae gotten a ravelled hesp to redd.
That is, you have a very difficult matter to arrange.
That is, you have a very difficult matter to arrange.
"Ance let a hizzy get you in the girn,Ere ye get loose, ye'll redd a ravell'd pirn."—Allan Ramsay.
"Ance let a hizzy get you in the girn,Ere ye get loose, ye'll redd a ravell'd pirn."
—Allan Ramsay.
Ye hae gotten the chapman's drouth.
"From the severe exercise of a pedlar who travels on foot,the chapman's drouthis a proverbial phrase for hunger."—Jamieson.
"From the severe exercise of a pedlar who travels on foot,the chapman's drouthis a proverbial phrase for hunger."—Jamieson.
Ye hae grown proud since ye quatted the begging.
Applied satirically to persons who pass their acquaintance in a proud manner.
Applied satirically to persons who pass their acquaintance in a proud manner.
Ye hae gude manners, but ye dinna bear them about wi' you.
Ye hae little need o' the Campsie wife's prayer, "That she might aye be able to think enough o' hersel'."
A reflection upon conceited or selfish people.
A reflection upon conceited or selfish people.
Ye hae mind o' yer meat though ye hae little o't.
Ye hae missed that, as ye did your mither's blessing.
Ye hae nae mair need for't than a cart has for a third wheel.
Ye hae nae mair sense than a sooking turkey.
"I ken I hae a gude deal o' the cuddy in me, when I'm straikit against the hair; and my mother used to say, I had mair than eneuch o' the sookin' turkey in me!"—The Disruption.
"I ken I hae a gude deal o' the cuddy in me, when I'm straikit against the hair; and my mother used to say, I had mair than eneuch o' the sookin' turkey in me!"—The Disruption.
Ye hae ower foul feet tae come sae far ben.
Spoken jocularly to persons who, when they go to visit a friend, ask, "Will they come in?"
Spoken jocularly to persons who, when they go to visit a friend, ask, "Will they come in?"
Ye hae ower muckle loose leather about yer chafts.
"Spoken to them that say the thing they should not."—Kelly.
"Spoken to them that say the thing they should not."—Kelly.
Ye hae put a toom spune in my mouth.
A country farmer complained of having been fed with a "toom spune," when he had listened to the exhortations of a very poor preacher.
A country farmer complained of having been fed with a "toom spune," when he had listened to the exhortations of a very poor preacher.
Ye hae run lang on little ground.
Ye hae sew'd that seam wi' a het needle and a burning thread.
Spoken facetiously when an article of clothing, which has been hurriedly mended, gives way soon.
Spoken facetiously when an article of clothing, which has been hurriedly mended, gives way soon.
Ye hae sitten your time, as mony a gude hen has done.
Ye hae skill o' man and beast and dogs that tak the sturdy.
Addressed satirically to persons who pretend to be very wise by those who do not admit their pretensions.
Addressed satirically to persons who pretend to be very wise by those who do not admit their pretensions.
Ye hae stayed lang, and brought little wi' ye.
Ye hae ta'en the measure o' his foot.
Ye hae ta'en't upon you, as the wife did the dancin'.
Ye hae the best end o' the string.
Or the best of the argument.
Or the best of the argument.
Ye hae the wrang sow by the lug.
Ye hae tied a knot wi' your tongue you winna loose wi' your teeth.
Ye hae tint the tongue o' the trump.
"That is, you have lost the main thing."—Kelly.
"That is, you have lost the main thing."—Kelly.
Ye hae tint yer ain stamach an' found a tyke's.
Applied to those who, when very hungry, eat a great deal.
Applied to those who, when very hungry, eat a great deal.
Ye hae wrought a yoken and loosed in time.
You have wrought a day's work in proper time.
You have wrought a day's work in proper time.
Ye ken naething but milk and bread when it's mool'd into ye.
Or you know or care about nothing but your meat.
Or you know or care about nothing but your meat.
Ye kenna what may cool your kail yet.
Ye live beside ill neebors.
"Spoken when people commend themselves, for if they deserved commendation, their neighbours would commend them."—Kelly.
"Spoken when people commend themselves, for if they deserved commendation, their neighbours would commend them."—Kelly.
Ye'll beguile nane but them that lippen to ye.
Ye'll be hang'd and I'll be harried.
Ye'll break your neck as sune as your fast in this house.
Ye'll dee without amends o't.
Ye'll cool and come to yoursel, like MacGibbon's crowdy when he set it oot at the window-bole.
Ye'll dee like a trooper's horse—wi' your shoon on.
Ye'll do onything but work and rin errands.
Ye'll follow him lang or he'll let five shillings fa'.
Ye'll gang a grey gate yet.
"You will take a bad, evil, or improper course, or meet an evil destiny."—Jamieson.
"You will take a bad, evil, or improper course, or meet an evil destiny."—Jamieson.
Ye'll gar him claw a sair haffit.
"'Haffit,' the side of the head."—Jamieson.Metaphorically, you will do something to injure or annoy him.
"'Haffit,' the side of the head."—Jamieson.
Metaphorically, you will do something to injure or annoy him.
Ye'll gar me seek the needle where I didna stick it.
"That is, send me a-begging. Spoken to thriftless wives and spending children."—Kelly.
"That is, send me a-begging. Spoken to thriftless wives and spending children."—Kelly.
Ye'll gather nae gowd aff windlestraes.
Ye'll get as muckle for ae wish this year as for twa fernyear.
"Fern" signifies the preceding year. The proverb means that wishing begets nothing.
"Fern" signifies the preceding year. The proverb means that wishing begets nothing.
Ye'll get nae mair o' the cat but the skin.
Ye'll get waur bodes ere Beltane.
Addressed to a person who refuses the price offered for an article, meaning that, as worse offers will be made, the seller will be sorry he did not accept the present one.
Addressed to a person who refuses the price offered for an article, meaning that, as worse offers will be made, the seller will be sorry he did not accept the present one.
Ye'll get your gear again, and they'll get the widdie that stole't.
Ye'll get your head in your hands and your lugs to play wi'.
Ye'll get your kail through the reek.
"The fact is, everybody about the house kens o' the muirburn that the mistress rais'd on you yestreen, for takin' up wi' Miss Migummery. Ye see when your auntie's in an ill key, she gars folk hear that's no hearknin'; an' ye ken yoursel', if she didna gie you your kail through the reek, Maister James."—The Disruption.
"The fact is, everybody about the house kens o' the muirburn that the mistress rais'd on you yestreen, for takin' up wi' Miss Migummery. Ye see when your auntie's in an ill key, she gars folk hear that's no hearknin'; an' ye ken yoursel', if she didna gie you your kail through the reek, Maister James."—The Disruption.
Ye'll hae the half o' the gate and a' the glaur.
Spoken facetiously when we make a friend take the outside of the footpath.
Spoken facetiously when we make a friend take the outside of the footpath.
Ye'll hang a' but the head yet.
Ye'll let naething tine for want o' seeking.
Yellow's forsaken, and green's forsworn, but blue and red ought to be worn.
In allusion to the superstitious notions formerly held regarding these colours.
In allusion to the superstitious notions formerly held regarding these colours.
Ye'll ne'er be auld wi' sae muckle honesty.
Ye'll ne'er cast saut on his tail.
Ye'll ne'er craw in my cavie.
This means that such a person will never be welcomed in my house.
This means that such a person will never be welcomed in my house.
Ye'll ne'er grow howbackit bearing your friends.
From this we can infer that the person addressed does not allow himself to be troubled by his friends.
From this we can infer that the person addressed does not allow himself to be troubled by his friends.
Ye'll ne'er harry yersel wi' your ain hands.
Ye'll ne'er mak a mark in your testament by that bargain.
That is, you will lose money by that transaction.
That is, you will lose money by that transaction.
Ye'll ne'er rowte in my tether.
Of similar meaning to "Ye'll ne'er craw in my cavie."
Of similar meaning to "Ye'll ne'er craw in my cavie."
Ye'll neither dance nor haud the candle.
Ye'll neither dee for your wit nor be drowned for a warlock.
A saying used to signify that a person is neither very wise nor very clever.
A saying used to signify that a person is neither very wise nor very clever.
Ye'll no dee as lang as he's your deemster.
Ye'll no let it be for want o' craving.
Ye'll no mend a broken nest by dabbing at it.
Ye'll play a sma' game before you stand out.
Ye'll see the gowk in your sleep.
"When you awake in the morning you will see matters differently."—Jamieson.
"When you awake in the morning you will see matters differently."—Jamieson.
Ye'll sit till ye sweat and work till ye freeze.
Ye'll tak mair in your mou' than your cheeks will haud.
Ye'll worry in the band like M'Ewen's calf.
"In plain English, you'll be hanged."—Kelly.
"In plain English, you'll be hanged."—Kelly.
Ye loe a' ye see, like Rab Roole when he's ree.
Addressed to covetous, greedy persons. When Rab Roole was "ree," he was crazy with drink.
Addressed to covetous, greedy persons. When Rab Roole was "ree," he was crazy with drink.
Ye look as bauld as a blackfaced wedder.
Ye look as if butter wadna melt in your mou', but cheese will no choke ye.
"I am beginning to think ye are but a queer ane—ye look as if butter wadna melt in your mouth, but I sall warrant cheese no choke ye.—But I'll thank ye to gang your ways into the parlour, for I'm no like to get muckle mair out o' ye."—St Ronan's Well.
"I am beginning to think ye are but a queer ane—ye look as if butter wadna melt in your mouth, but I sall warrant cheese no choke ye.—But I'll thank ye to gang your ways into the parlour, for I'm no like to get muckle mair out o' ye."—St Ronan's Well.
Ye look as if ye had eaten your bedstrae.
"Ye look like a rinner," quo' the deil to the lobster.
"Spoken to those who are very unlikely to do what they pretend to."—Kelly.
"Spoken to those who are very unlikely to do what they pretend to."—Kelly.
Ye look like Let-me-be.
That is, very quiet and inoffensive.
That is, very quiet and inoffensive.
Ye look liker a deil than a bishop.
Ye look liker a thief than a horse.
Yelping curs will raise mastiffs.
Ye maun be auld ere ye pay sic a gude wad.
Literally, you will be very old ere you can perform such a promise; proverbially, of course, that you look upon that promise as of no value.
Literally, you will be very old ere you can perform such a promise; proverbially, of course, that you look upon that promise as of no value.
Ye maun hae't baith simmered and wintered.
"'To simmer and winter,' to spend much time in forming a plan; to ponder; to ruminate."—Jamieson.It also means, to trifle, to dilly-dally, to go round about a subject."'His heart was amaist broken.' 'It maun be unco brittle,' said Claud, with a hem. 'But what's the need o' this summering and wintering anent it? Tell us what has happened.'"—The Entail.
"'To simmer and winter,' to spend much time in forming a plan; to ponder; to ruminate."—Jamieson.
It also means, to trifle, to dilly-dally, to go round about a subject.
"'His heart was amaist broken.' 'It maun be unco brittle,' said Claud, with a hem. 'But what's the need o' this summering and wintering anent it? Tell us what has happened.'"—The Entail.
Ye maun redd your ain ravelled clue.
That is, you must extricate yourself from your difficulties without assistance.
That is, you must extricate yourself from your difficulties without assistance.
Ye maun spoil or ye spin.
Ye maun tak the will for the deed.
Ye maunna throw awa the cog, tho' Crummie fling't.
Ye may be godly, but ye'll ne'er be cleanly.
Ye may be greedy, but ye're no greening.
Ye may dight yer neb and flee up.
An expression of indifference, addressed to a person whose opinion we consider of no value.
An expression of indifference, addressed to a person whose opinion we consider of no value.
Ye may be heard where ye're no seen.
Ye may dance at the end o' a raip yet without teaching.
Ye may drive the deil into a wife, but ye'll ne'er ding him oot o' her.
Ye may end him, but ye'll ne'er mend him.
Ye may gang farther and fare waur.
Ye may gape lang enough ere a bird flee into your mou'.
Ye may live and no pree the tangs.
Ye may tak a drink out o' the burn when ye canna tak a bite out o' the brae.
Ye may tine the faither looking for the son.
Ye may wash aff dirt, but never dun hide.
Ye mete my peas wi' your ain peck.
Ye needna mak a causey tale o't.
That is, I have told you so-and-so, but do not speak of it—do not publish it.
That is, I have told you so-and-so, but do not speak of it—do not publish it.
Ye ne'er see green cheese but your een reels.
Meaning that the person spoken to is very covetous of everything he sees.
Meaning that the person spoken to is very covetous of everything he sees.
Ye rave unrocked, I wish your head was knocked.
"Spoken to them that speak unreasonable things, as if they raved."—Kelly.
"Spoken to them that speak unreasonable things, as if they raved."—Kelly.
Ye're a' blawin' like a burstin' haggis.
Ye're a day after the fair.
Ye're a deil and nae cow, like the man's bull.
"Ye're a fine sword," quo' the fool to the wheat braird.
Ye're a foot behint the foremost.
Ye're a' grease, but I'm only grushie.
Ye're a gude seeker but an ill finder.
Ye're a' made o' butter, an' sew'd wi' soor milk.
Ye're a maiden marrowless.