Part 151

She's a drap o' my dearest blude.

She's a wise wife that wats her ain weird.

That is, who knows her own destiny.

She's better than she's bonny.

A Highlander, in speaking favourably of his wife, is reported to have misquoted this, and characterized her as being "bonnier than she was better."

She's black, but she has a sweet smack.

That is, she is not very beautiful, but she is rich.

She's dinket out, neb and feather.

"Dressed completely; from top to toe."--Jamieson.

She's grown gatty that was ance a dautie.

She's no to be made a sang about.

"An abatement of a woman's commendation to beauty."--Kelly.

She that fa's ower a strae's a tentless taupie.

She that gangs to the well wi' an ill will, either the pig breaks or the water will spill.

She that taks a gift, hersel she sells; and she that gies ane, does naething else.

She wadna hae the walkers, and the riders gaed by.

"It is recorded of a celebrated beauty, Becky Monteith, that being asked how she had not made a good marriage, having replied, 'Ye see, I wadna hae the walkers, and the riders gaed by.'"--Ramsay's Reminiscences.

Shod i' the cradle, and barefit i' the stubble.

Applied to people who dress out of keeping with their work.

Shored folk live lang, an' so may him ye ken o'.

"'Force our way with the king's keys, and break the neck of every living soul we find in the house, if ye dinna gie it ower forthwith!' menaced the incensed Hobbie. 'Threatened folks live lang,' said the hag, in the same tone of irony; 'there's the iron gate--try your skeel on't, lads--it has kept out as good men as you or now.'"--The Black Dwarf.

Short accounts mak lang friends.

Short rents mak careless tenants.

Shouther to shouther stands steel and pouther.

Show me the man and I'll show you the law.

Sic a man as thou wad be, draw thee to sic companie.

Sic as ye gie, sic will you get.

Sic faither, sic son.