Part 115

I would sooner my bannock burn than that you should turn't.

That is, I would rather allow an article to spoil than be indebted to you for assistance in keeping it right.

I would sooner see ye fleipeyed, like a French cat.

"A disdainful rejection of an unworthy proposal; spoken by bold maids to the vile offers of young fellows."--Kelly.

Jeddart justice--first hang a man, syne try him.

"According to Crawford, in his Memoirs, the phrase Jedburgh justice took its rise in 1574, on the occasion of the Regent Morton there and then trying and condemning, with cruel precipitation, a vast number of people who had offended against the laws, or against the supreme cause of his lordship's faction. A different origin is assigned by the people. Upon the occasion, say they, of nearly twenty criminals being tried for one offence, the jury were equally divided in opinion as to a verdict, when one who had been asleep during the whole trial suddenly awoke, and, being interrogated for his vote, vociferated, 'Hang them a'!'

"The English phrase 'Lidford Law,' commemorated by Grose, bears the same signification."--Robert Chambers.

Jock's a mislear'd imp, but ye're a run deil.

That is, "Jock," although very mischievous, is a quiet and well-behaved person compared to you.

Joke at leisure; ye kenna wha may jibe yoursel.

Jouk, and let the jaw gang by.

Literally, stoop, and let the rush of water go over your head; meaning, yield to adverse circumstances, and their effects will pass away.

"Just as it fa's," quo' the wooer to the maid.

"A courtier went to woo a maid: she was dressing supper with a drop at her nose. She asked him if he would stay all night; he answered, 'Just as it falls:' meaning, if the drop fell among the meat, he would be off; if it fell by, he would stay."--Kelly.

Just enough and nae mair, like Janet Howie's shearer's meat.

Just, father, just; three half-crowns mak five shillings; gie me the money and I'll pay the man.

Kail hains bread.

Kame sindle, kame sair.

If the hair is seldom combed it soon becomes a difficult and painful operation to perform. Proverbially applied when simple but necessary matters of business are neglected to such an extent that they become troublesome.

Kamesters are aye creeshy.

"Kamesters," or wool-combers, are always greasy. People are always like their work.

Katie Sweerock, frae where she sat, cried, "Reik me this, and reik me that."

"Applied to lazy people, who ask others to do this or that for them which they ought to do for themselves."--Kelly.

Keek in the stoup was ne'er a gude fellow.

"Spoken when one peeps into the pot to see if the liquor be out; whereas a jolly good fellow should drink about, and when the pot's empty call for more."--Kelly.

Keep a calm sough.

That is, keep your own counsel on matters of danger or delicacy.

"'Thir kittle times will drive the wisest o' us daft,' said Neil Blane, the prudent host of the Howff; 'but I'se aye keep a calm sough.'"--Old Mortality.