Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

Aithnichear leanabh air a bheusaibh.
A child is known by his manners.
Even a child is known by his doings. — Prov. xx. 11.
Aithnichear searrach sean làrach ann an greigh.
An old mares foal is known in a herd.
Supposed, whether truly or not, to be more lively than others.
See ' Mac bantraich '.
Aithnichidh an truaighe a daoine fh^in.
Misery knows its own people.
Aithnichidh na leth-chiallaich a cheile.
Half-wits recognise each other.
This is a touching fact, of which observant persons must have
seen many instances.
Albainn bheadarrach !
Beloved Scotland !
' Beadarrach ' is perhaps oftener used to mean playful, but the
above appears to be an expression of simple affection.
Am biadh a dh' ithear anns a' chùil, thig e thnn an
teine.
TJie food that's eaten %n the corner will come to the
hearth.
Am biadh a theachdas os cionn gach bidh — snaois-
ein.
The food that can go on the top of all food — snuff.
The once general use of snuff has given place, in the High-
lands as elsewhere, to smoking. A snuff-mull is now rarely to be
seen.
'Am bial a' phoca tha 'n caomhnadh.
The saving is at the mouth of the hag.
See ' Am fear nach dean bail.'
Am bolla air an sgillinn, 's gun an sgillinn ann.
The loll at a penny, and no pienny to buy it.
The Scotch boll is a measure of grain, sixteen pecks. There
is a Danish saying, ' When it rains porridge, the beggar has no
spoon'.
Am br^id 'g a thomhas air an toll.
Measuring the patch on the hole.