Part 49

Ell and tell is ne'er forgotten, and the best pay's on the peck bottom.

"Ell and tell," if we mistake not, refers to good measure and prompt payment; and the latter saying may be construed thus:--The grain is emptied from the "peck" measure, the measure is inverted, and payment for the grain is "told" on the bottom of it.

Enough's as gude as a feast.

Enough's enough o' bread and cheese.

Meaning, that too much of one thing is not good. The French and Dutch say, "Enough is better than too much," while the Italians are of opinion that "Enough is enough, and too much spoils."

Envy shoots at a high mark.

Even stands his cap the day, for a' that.

"It took its rise from a minister in our country, who, in a sermon preached most fiercely against the supremacy of the Pope, at the conclusion said, 'Even stands his cap for all that I have said, drinking good Romany wine this day.' Applied when we signify that all we can say against any great man can do him no harm."--Kelly.

Ever busy, ever bare.

"Great cry and little wool."--English.

Every ane loups the dyke where it's laighest.

Every one leaps the wall at the lowest part,--a man may "loup the dyke" by oppressing those who are unable to resist.

Every bird thinks its ain nest best.

Every cock craws crousiest on his ain midden head.

"Every cock crows loudest on his own dunghill," is a saying common to all nations.

Every craw thinks his ain bird whitest.

All think well of their own offspring. "Every mother's child is handsome," say the Germans. They also have, "No ape but swears he has the finest children."

Every day is no Yule day; cast the cat a castock.

The first half of this proverb is used literally by the Italians and Dutch. A "castock" is the stalk or core of a cabbage.

Every dog has its day.

Every dud bids anither gude-day.

Every fault has its fore.

Every flow has its ebb.

Every Jack will find a Jill.

"'Never you fash your thumb about that, Maister Francie,' returned the landlady with a knowing wink, 'every Jack will find a Jill, gang the world as it may; and, at the warst o't, better hae some fashery in finding a partner for the night, than get yoked with ane that you may not be able to shake off the morn.'"--St Ronan's Well.

Every land has its laigh; every corn has its ain caff.

Meaning that everything may be found fault with; and silly objections be raised against the most valuable and useful things.

Every man bows to the bush he gets beild frae.