The Proverbs of Scotland Part 112

Ye're a day after the fair.

Ye're a deil and nae cow, like the man's bull.

"Ye're a fine sword," quo' the fool to the wheat braird.

Ye're a foot behint the foremost.

Ye're a' grease, but I'm only grus.h.i.+e.

Ye're a gude seeker but an ill finder.

Ye're a' made o' b.u.t.ter, an' sew'd wi' soor milk.

Ye're a maiden marrowless.

Satirically applied to conceited maidens who hold high opinions of themselves, that they are unequalled.

Ye're a man amang geese when the gander's awa.

Ye're ane o' Cow-Meek's breed, ye'll stand without a bonoch.

Ye're ane o' snaw-ba's bairn time.

"That is, such as health and prosperity make worse, or who insensibly go behind in the world."--_Kelly._

Ye're ane o' the tender Gordons--you daurna be hang'd for ga' in your neck.

Ye're an honest man, and I'm your uncle--that's twa big lees.

Ye're a' out o't and into strae.

That is, you are quite mistaken about the matter.

Ye're a queer fish no to hae fins.

Ye're as braw as Bink's wife,--like the sun on shairney water.

Ye're as daft as ye're days auld.

Ye're as fu' o' maggots as the bride o' Preston, wha stopt half way as she gaed to the kirk.

"We have not been able to learn who the bride o' Preston really was; but we have frequently heard the saying applied to young women, who are capricious and changeable.

"'The bride took a maggot, it was but a maggot, She wadna gang by the West Mains to be married.'"--_G. Henderson._

Ye're as fu' o' mischief as an egg's fu' o' meat.

Ye're as lang tuning your pipes as anither wad play a spring.

Ye're as mim as a May puddock.

Ye're as sma' as the twitter o' a twined rash.

Ye're as souple sark alane as some are mither naked.

Ye're as stiff as a stappit saster.

"'Stappit saster,' a crammed pudding."--_Jamieson._

Ye're a widdiefu' gin hanging time.

Ye're aye in a hurry, and aye behint.

Ye're best when ye're sleeping.

Ye're black aboot the mou' for want o' kissing.

"A jest upon a young maid when she has a spot about her mouth, as if it was for want of being kissed."--_Kelly._

Ye're bonny enough to them that loe ye, and ower bonny to them that loe ye and canna get ye.

"Spoken as a comfort to people of an ordinary beauty."--_Kelly._

Ye're busy to clear yoursel when naebody files you.

Ye're b.u.t.toned up the back like Achmahoy's dog.

Ye're but young c.o.c.ks--your craw's roupy.

Ye're c.a.w.king the claith ere the wab be in the loom.

Or plucking your geese before they are caught.

Ye're come o' blude, and sae's a pudding.

A taunt upon those who boast of their gentle blood.

Ye're Davy-do-little and gude for naething.

Ye're either ower het or ower cauld, like the miller o' Marshach mill.

Ye're feared for the day ye never saw.

"You are afraid of far-enough."--_English._

Ye're fit for coorse country wark--ye're rather strong than handsome.

Ye're gude to be sent for sorrow.