Part 73

He'll tell it to nae mair than he meets.

He'll wag as the bush wags.

That is, he will do as circumstances compel him.

He loes me for little that hates me for nought.

His love has never been very strong if it turns for a trifle.

He'll wind you a pirn.

"An my auld acquaintance be hersel, or onything like hersel, she may come to wind us a pirn. It's fearsome baith to see and hear her when she wampishes about her arms, and gets to her English, and speaks as if she were a prent book--let a-be an auld fisher's wife."--The Antiquary.

He lo'ed mutton weel that lick'd where the ewie lay.

"Spoken to them who will sip the bottom of a glass where good liquor was, or scrape a plate after good meat."--Kelly.

"He loved mutton well that dipped his bread in wool."--English.

He looks as if he could swallow a cow.

This saying and the four which follow are expressive of peculiarities in the appearance of persons.

He looks as if the wood were fu' o' thieves.

He looks like a Lochaber axe fresh frae the grundstane.

He looks like the far end of a French fiddle.

"Gin ye wad thole to hear a friend, Tak tent, and nae wi' strunts offend, I've seen queans dink, and neatly prim'd Frae tap to middle, Looking just like the far-aff end O' an auld fiddle."--The Farmer's Ha'.

He looks like the laird o' fear.

He loses his time that comes sune to a bad bargain.

Help for help in hairst.

Farmers in time of harvest occasionally give each other a "day's shearing," or the use of the whole reaping staff for a day. Of course, the favour is returned, and the benefit rendered mutual.

Help is gude at a'thing, except at the cog.

"At the cog," signifies in taking our food.

He maks nae bairn's bargains.

He maun be a gude friend when you dinna ken his value.

He maun be soon up that cheats the tod.

He maun hae leave to speak that canna haud his tongue.

Addressed to people who talk foolishly or without purpose.

He maun lout that has a laigh door.