Shetland Folk-Lore
case during thaw, it is difficult to trace footprints.
“Ye're a' ae swine's spik (fat)”—
You are all one family, akin to the Scottish expression, " Ye're a' ae 'oo."
“Du only needs a hair ta mak a tether o'”
is applied to one given to exaggeration.
“It's ill ta sit inonder drap, lat alane wi' underwatter”—
It is uncomfortable when the roof drops, but worse when the foundations let in water. Hence, it's hard to endure two evils. Another old saying shows that such is often the lot of man, for
“Seldom comes ae ill withoot a twin.”
“Ye'll no get blöd oot o' a stane”—
Akin to “It's ill to get breeks aff o' a Hielanman.”
“Auld springs bring nae price.”
Here springs refer to music, and the inference is that one gets tired of what they
have often heard.
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