Part 45

Do not speak about a thing, or wish it done, but do it. "Talking is easier than doing, and promising than performing."--German.

Dinna speak o' a raip to a chield whase father was hanged.

Dinna straik against the hair.

"Ony way, I wadna hae liked to have offended Mr Treddles; he was a wee toustie when you rubbed him again the hair--but a kind, weel-meaning man."--The Highland Widow.

Dinna stretch your arm farther than your sleeve 'ill let ye.

"'I'll no let ye rest if ye dinna mak me a bailie's wife or a' be done.' I was not ill pleased to hear Mrs Pawkie so spiritful; but I replied, 'Dinna try to stretch your arm, gudewife, farther than your sleeve will let you; we maun ca' canny mony a day yet before we think of dignities.'"--The Provost.

Dinna tell your fae when your foot sleeps.

Dinna touch him on the sair heel.

Do not speak to him on a subject on which he is known to be sensitive.

Dirt bodes luck.

Dirt defies the king.

Dirt parts gude company.

Dit your mouth wi' your meat.

"Dit," close. A suggestion intended to put a stop to idle conversation.

Do a man a good turn, and he'll never forgie you.

"'Are you mad?' cried Bryce Snailsfoot, 'you that lived sae lang in Zetland to risk the saving of a drowning man? Wot ye not, if you bring him to life again, he will be sure to do you some capital injury?'"--The Pirate.

Do as the cow o' Forfar did, tak a stannin' drink.

"A cow in passing a door in Forfar, where a tub of ale had been placed to cool, drank the whole of it. The owner of the ale pursued the proprietor of the cow for the value of the ale; but a learned bailie, in giving his decision, decreed, that since the ale was drank by the cow while standing at the door, it must be considered deoch an dorius, or stirrup cup, for which no charge could be made, without violating the ancient hospitality of Scotland."--Sir Walter Scott, Note to Waverley.

Do as the lasses do--say No, but tak it.

"Maids, in modesty, say 'No' to that which they would have the profferer construe 'Ay.'"--Shakespeare.

Do as the miller's wife o' Newlands did--she took what she had and she never wanted.

Dogs and bairns are fain o' fools.

That is, fools attract the attention of children and dogs.

Dogs bark as they are bred.

Dogs will redd swine.

"Redd," is here used in the sense of to put in order.

Dolour pays nae debts.

Dool and an ill life soon mak an auld wife.