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Part 100

The Proverbs of Scotland · Alexander Hislop — chapter 100 of 242 · ~346 words · public domain

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Ilka land has its ain leid.

"Leid," language.--Jamieson.

Ilka man as he likes--I'm for the cook.

Ilka man buckles his belt his ain gate.

"'Oh but, sir, what seems reasonable to your honour will certainly be the same to them,' answered Jeanie. 'I do not know that,' replied the Duke; 'ilka man buckles his belt his ain gate--you know our old Scots proverb?'"--Heart of Midlothian.

Ill bairns are aye best heard at hame.

I'll big nae sandy mills wi' you.

Or I will not join with you in any project.

Ill comes upon waur's back.

Parallel to the saying, "Misfortunes never come single." In this case it is more forcibly expressed, and means literally, a great misfortune is followed by a greater one.

Ill counsel will gar a man stick his ain mare.

I'll do as the man did when he sell't his land.

"That is, I will not do it again, for selling of an estate is a fault that few are twice guilty of."--Kelly.

Ill doers are aye ill dreaders.

Ill flesh ne'er made gude broo.

Bad meat never made good soup; or, a bad man cannot be expected to do a good act.

I'll gar him draw his belt to his ribs.

Meaning that a person will be compelled to defend himself.

I'll gar his ain garters bind his ain hose.

"That is, what expense his business requires I will take it out of his own money."--Kelly.

I'll gar ye blairt wi' baith your een.

I'll gar ye claw where its no yeuky.

"Ye bardy loon, gae but the house and mind your wark. Ye thought and they thought; but if it wasna mair for ae thing than anither, I hae a thought that wad gar baith you and them claw where it's no yeuky."--Sir Andrew Wylie.

I'll gar you sing Port-youl.

That is, cry, weep:--

"I'll make them know they have no right to rule, And cause them shortly all sing up Port-yeull." --Hamilton's Wallace.

I'll get a better fore-speaker than you for nought.

Ill getting het water frae 'neath cauld ice.

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