Shetland Folk-Lore
“It's ill ta drook a laughin' guest.”
A brand standing by itself in the fire was called a guest; a smoking brand betokened an unwelcome guest, while a bright brand meant a friend. The coming of the unwelcome guest might be prevented by pouring water on the brand, but care was needed lest the act should bring misfortune on a friend, who might fall into a mire or burn.
“Glig (quick) is the guest's ee.”
“They can tell a tale that canna bear a burden”
—(refers to children).
“It's a pert beggar that goes by ae door.”
“Everyday vitchers (visitors) are tiresome guests.”
A greedy, grasping, overreaching nature is referred to in the following:
“Guid is laithe (weary) o' the greedy man.”
“Gi'e an inch and tak' an ell,”
“The mair we hae, the mair we want.”
“Du wid skin a midge for her tallow.”
“Du wid' gaeng atween the lempit an' the stane.”
“The glyed (squinting) gunner never made a fat pot.”
“He thrives best that never sees his laird's reek.”
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