Fife Folklore, Fishing in Fife - Local Sayings

The Fisher Folk of Fife knew and made good use of sayings that were known all over Scotland.

There’s nane sae blind as them that winnae see.

Her tongue wid wile the birds aff the trees.

It’s no what ye ha’e, it’s what ye dae wi’ what ye ha’e!

He aye tak’s the first word in a fecht.

A waster o’ watter, a waster o’ better.

They’re a’ oot o’ step but oor Jock!

Ye wid be a braw laddie if yer lugs were preened back.
A friendly reminder not to become too pleased with one’s own appearance.

I did it for man-dae.
I did it out of sheer necessity, usually for lack of
money.

Man or maun—must.

She speired the guts oot o’ me.
She asked far too many inquisitive questions.

Keepin’ the stick in the wud man‘s ey‘e.
Keeping an argument going too long.

Easy kittlet, easy coortit.
Kittlet means tickled.

Garred gress is ill tae grow.
Trying to force someone against his will is rarely successful.

It’s shairly gaun wi’ yer gab.
It’s surely to your taste. Gab means mouth, but the saying can refer to any situation, not only eating.

If ye use what ye ha‘e ye'll never want.
This bit of philosophy must have been one of the most commonly used sayings in a community that never threw
away anything at all lest it should come in handy later on.

Potty and pent howds mony a rent.
Putty and paint will cover signs of wear and tear. Advice on looking after property even when it is old and worn.

A weel-faured face sets a dishcloot.
A pretty girl looks well in anything. In the East Neuk, clothes did not suit people, people suited clothes.

Let that flee stick tae the wa’
Let’s not get into an argument.

They think theirsel’ nae sma’ drink.
They are full of self-importance.

Them that has cheeny plates o’ their ain will no brek ither folk ‘s.
People who have fine possessions of their own will take care of what belongs to others. The opposite is inferred.

Keep a stoot heart tae a stey brae.
Don t lose heart when faced with difficulties. A stey brae is a steep slope.

Them that lichts a caun’le at the low, hasnae muckle wut in their pow.
It’s not very sensible to light a candle at the flame of a fire.

Aim for a silk goon an’ ye ‘ll get mebbe the sleeve of it. Keep your aims high even though you may never get all you hope for

Ye re gaun ower the score.
You are going too far

A Scotch muffler.
A cuddle with or without a kiss

Back tae auld claes an parritch.
Back to old familiar everyday things

As auld’s ma little finger (or ma tongue), an’ a wee bit aulder than ma teeth.
An answer to the question, “How old are you?”

If ye wernae scabbit ye widnae need tae claw.
A Scots version of If the cap fits wear it Claw means scratch

Long may yer lum reek.
Long may your chimney smoke, that is, your fire keep burning This wish was often sent in wedding telegrams

Cauld kail het again.
Cold broth warmed up a comment on something that appeared over and over again unchanged.

Speirin maks ye wyce.
You’ll never know if you don’t ask

He wid skin a loose for its tally.
He could not be more stingy, literally he would skin a louse for its fat.

A fireside deevil an’ a causey saint.
Someone who is very difficult at home but very pleasant in public.

The back’s aye made for the burden.

Ye’ve tae sp’ile afore ye spin.
You can’t be perfect right from the beginning.

A nod’s as guid’s a wink tae a blind horse.
It’s no use hinting.

If a’ tales is true that’s no a lee.
A way of indicating scepticism.

Ye should tak’ a leaf oot o’ his book.
You should take him as an example.

Drawin’ in his chair.
This was usually said of a man courting a widow or
an elderly spinster who had a home he was hoping to share.

Shairly up afore yer cla’es wis on!.
You are unusually early today!

When drink’s in wut’s oot.
Sense deserts you when you have drunk too much.

Like snaw aff a dyke.
Disappearing suddenly.

I’m no sae green’s I’m cabbage lookin‘
I’m not so easily fooled.

That’s anither day an’ anither denner.
We’ll leave that for another time.

A penny hained is a penny gained.
A penny saved is a penny gained.

He got ta’en ower the fingers.
He lost a lot of money on that deal.

It’s a guid dowg that barks when it’s bidden.
A remark made when someone shows unquestioning obedience.

No ‘as muckle as row roond a ragnail.
Said of a bride who was married with very little household linen.

You claw ma back, I’! claw yours.
We’ll see that both of us get something out of this.

Fill an ‘fetch mair.
A comment on extravagance.

What’s guid tae gi’e shidnae be ill tae tak’
You must expect others to treat you as you treat them.

That’s the end o’ an auld sang.
Something familiar has gone for ever.

Guid gear gan‘s in sma’ buik.
In the modern phrase, small is beautiful, or you can’t judge value by size.

Ye cannae mak’ a silk purse oot o’ a soo’s lug.
You can’t make something from nothing.

He never made saut tae his kail.
He earned very little, the implication being that he did not try too hard.

As common as jucks gaun barefit.
Very ordinary indeed.

Troubles can rise oot the stanes in the wa’.

Ca’ me what ye like but dinnae ca’me ower.
Call me any names you like but don’t knock me over.

She gaed at me like a day’s war.
She really took me to task.

He’s hoatchin’ wi’ siller.
He is very rich. Hoatchin‘ meansinfested.

Her bairns gets leave tae hing as they grow.
Her children get no guidance or training.

Yer e’e’s ower near yer blether.
You cry too easily. B/lther—bladder.

Ye’ll jist ha’e tae mak’ a kirk or a mill of it.
You’ll have to make the best of it.

There’s a slippy stane at a’body’s door.
No one is immune from falling into error.

Shaemaker’s bairns are aye illshod.
It’s easy to be concerned with others and forget home obligations.

A fiddler’s biddin’
A last minute invitation.

That wis the year o’ the short corn.
A joking reference to a forgotten date. When the craws had tae gan doon on their knees to pick it was sometimes
added.

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