Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

76
Caomhain 's co dhà ? cuimhnicli am has.
Save and for whovi Ì rememher death.
It is said in the Teachd. Gael, Vol. I., p. 282, that this excellent
saying was found engraved on a stone at the top of Ben Lawers,
but no authority is given for the statement.
Caomhnadh a' chama-chnodaiii, caomhnadh a' s miosa
na caitheamh.
The saving of the crooked gurnet, vjorse than siJending.
Applied to mean gruff persons.
Caomhnadh math air a' bheagan Bhenrla, 's a' Ghallt-
achd gu leir romhainn t
Be sparing of the little English, with the whole Low-
lands in front of us !
Said by an old man to his son on their way to the Falkirk
market when the son, who had a little more English than the old
man, began to air it at Dumbarton.
Caora luideagach a theid 's an dris, fàgaidh i 'h-olainn
's an dos.
The ragged shee2) that goes into the briers will leave her
wool there.
Car 'an aghaidh ciiir. Turn against twists
Diamond cut diamond.
Car tuathal d' aimhleis ort !
The left about unluckg turn to you t
This is founded on the old idea, that motion in the course of
tlie sun was lucky, and in the opposite direction unlucky. ' Car
tuathal ' literally means ' northward turn '. See * Deiseal '.
Carghus a' chion, an Carghus a's miosa 'th'ann.
Lent for want is worst of Lent.
Fasting for sheer want of food.
Carghus, Ir. Carghios, Manx, Cargys, Welsh, Garawys, =
Quadragesima.
Cas air creathaill, 's làmh 'an cuigeil, comharradh na
deagh mhna-tighe.
Foot to cradle, hand to distaff, mark the good house-
wife.
The foot at the cradle, the hand at the reel, is a sign that a
woman means to do weel.— (Scoi.
Cas circ' 'an criathar. A hen's foot in a sieve.
A bad or xmpleasant fit.