The Proverbs of Scotland Part 89

Tam-tell-truth's nae courtier.

Tappit hens like c.o.c.k-crowing.

Tarry breeks pays nae freight.

Persons in the same trade are generally willing to oblige one another. "Pipers don't pay fiddlers."--_English._ "One barber shaves another."--_French._

Tarry lang brings little hame.

Tell nae tales out o' schule.

Tell the truth and shame the deil.

Thank ye for cakes, I have scones in my pocket.

That bolt came ne'er out o' your bag.

That is, such a thing is better done or told than you could do it.

That'll be a sap out o' my bicker.

Or will injure me by reducing my income or prospects.

That's abune your thoom.

Spoken to a person who is about to attempt a thing of which he is considered incapable.

That's a piece a stepmother never gied.

A hearty expression accompanying a substantial "piece" or meal.

That's a sair hair in my neck.

"I canna but think I maun hae made a queer figure without my hat and my periwig, hanging by the middle like bawdrons, or a cloak flung ower a cloakpin. Bailie Grahame wad hae an unco hair in my neck an he got that tale by the end."--_Rob Roy._

That's as ill as the ewes in the yaird and nae dogs to hunt them.

The "yaird" being the safest place where the ewes could be, the proverb means that a thing is quite right.

That's a tale o' twa drinks.

That's a tee'd ba'.

That's but ae doctor's opinion.

That's equal aqual.

"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 b.u.t.ter'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 G.o.d 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 a.s.s that's no used to the sunks bites his crupper.