Part 158

"Mr Novit, ye'll no forget to draw the annual rent that's due on the yerl's band--if I pay debt to other folk, I think they suld pay it to me--that equals aquals.--Jock, when ye hae naething else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing, Jock, when ye're sleeping. My father tauld me sae forty years sin', but I ne'er fand time to mind him."--Heart of Midlothian.

That's felling twa dogs wi' ae stane.

That's for that, as butter's for fish.

Meaning that such a thing is exactly what is wanted.

That's for the faither, and no for the son.

"Spoken when a thing is done with slight materials, and, consequently, will not be lasting."--Kelly.

That's Halkerston's cow, a' the ither way.

Halkerston, a lawyer and landed proprietor, gave permission to one of his tenants to graze an ox. The tenant's ox was gored to death by a heifer belonging to the lawyer. The tenant went to Halkerston, and told the story the reverse of what had occurred. "Why, then," said the lawyer, "your ox must go for my heifer--the law provides that." "No," said the man, "your heifer killed my ox." "Oh," said Halkerston, "the case alters there," and forthwith reversed his tactics.

That's ill paid maut siller.

"Metaphorically, a benefit ill requited."--Jamieson.

That's like seekin' for a needle in a windlin o' strae.

That's my gude that does me gude.

That's my tale, whaur's yours?

Spoken by a person who has forestalled another by telling the same news or story which the other was about to do.

That's no a heel to my shoe.

That's the ane the souter killed his wife wi'.

That's the best gown that gaes up and down the house.

That's the way to marry me, if ere you should hap to do it.

A sharp reply to those who presume to be too familiar.

That's waur and mair o't.

That which God will gie the deil canna reeve.

"Spoken when we have attained our end in spite of opposition."--Kelly.

That will be when the deil's blind, and he's no bleer-ee'd yet.

That winna be a mote in your marriage.

The ass that's no used to the sunks bites his crupper.

"'Sunks,' a sort of saddle made of cloth, and stuffed with straw, on which two persons can sit at once."--Jamieson.

The back and the belly hauds ilka ane busy.

The ba' maun aye row some way.