Scots Proverbs and Rhymes - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0903065266 ISBN 13: 9780903065269

Publisher: G.Wright Pub., 1979

Synopsis

Over five hundred Scots proverbs and rhymes with a Scots glossary, as well as a collection of Gaelic proverbs with translation. As Forbes Macgregor wrote in his introduction, 'There is no surer guide to the general character of a race than a study of its proverbs.'
Where necessary, a brief explanation of the proverb is provided. As Forbes Macgregor pointed out, 'Some Scots proverbs are so very ancient that they refer to a manner of life which has totally disappeared. Both the vocabulary and the background have to be explained. Others refer to historical events and incidents which are fairly well known. Some are purely local sayings which, however, still hold human interest. Many proverbs are so self-explanatory as to be called truisms. But they also have their value in a Scottish collection.'
'Fair words winna mak the pot boil', and 'When a' men speak, nae man hears', but... 'Auld saws speak truth'.

About this title

Review

An amusing and valuable book of gems recording a long-vanished way of life. -- Leopard, Aberdeen

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

A guid name is sooner tint (lost) than won.

A wee bush is better than nae bield.

Changes are lichtsome, and fools like them.

Gie yer tongue mair holidays than your heid.

He that eats but ae dish seldom needs the doctor.

He that tholes, overcomes.

It’s no lost what a friend gets.

The siller penny slays mair souls than the nakit sword slays bodies.

There’s naethin got by delay but dirt and lang nails.

Eneuch’s eneuch o breid and cheese.

Edition details

• Publisher: G.Wright Pub.
• Publication date: 1979
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0903065266
• ISBN 13: 9780903065269
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48
• Editor: Macgregor Forbes