Each entry is followed by either a (T) or a (B) to identify the author concerned.

Tee wi aa the claik.

Up to date with all the local gossip. 'Teenie wull be tee wi aa the claik o the Perrish.' 'Clipe' has a similar meaning but implies the repetition or spread of gossip, like 'Leeby wis the clipe o the Perrish' in that she was wickedly forthright and repeated every tittle-tattle and couldn't be trusted in confidence. 'I widna trust Leeby oot o hearin', for most likely she would repeat what you had just told her, and telling her not to mention it was like tempting her the more. A scandalmonger. (T)

Teem briks an gaupin leather.

Empty trousers and open boots when you haven't got up in the morning. After a late night of music and song and a bottle of beer with the chiels from the neighbouring farms in the bothy or chaumer the foreman would remark, 'Weel billies, we'll hae tae gyang tae wir beds or we'll sleep-in in the mornin, an the fairmer'll say, "Aye aye, fit hiv we here. Naething bit teem briks an gaupin leather!" An we canna hae that, can we lads?' (T)

Tell a lee tae shun the Deevil.

Tell a lie to shun the Devil, or even justice if it means punishment. 'The maist o fouk wid tell a lee tae keep them oot o the jile, an files they get awaa wee't. That's fit justice is aa aboot I suppose, tae prove em wrang if need be.' (T)

That'll fairly tak the win oot o Phemie's sails.

Common remark in Buchan, even in the country districts if someone in the know had suffered a sudden set-back, either in business or in some domestic affair, and more so if Phemie was a go-ahead person with her fingers in all the local pies, like the Women's Rural Institute or the Women's Guild, when they would certainly rub her nose in it and take her down to their own level. 'That'll fairly tak the win oot o Phemie's sails,' some busybody would remark at the hair-dressers, 'and haein tae close the shop an aa! Faa wid a thocht it? I thocht she wis deein weel aneuch yonder in the middle o the village, but a body nivver kens fit's afore them. She wis a bit o a flee-up onywye, but this'll tak er doon tae size!' (T)

That's the price o ye.

You have got exactly what you deserve; you should have known better. (B)

The aal folk hained the siller, but the quines'll gie't the dicht.

The old folk saved the money but their daughters will soon spend it. (B)

The back o his heid's a treat!

It's good to see him go. Good riddance, for he had already caused enough trouble and overstayed his welcome. (T)

The back o Sunday.

The first hour or so after Sunday has passed. The traditional time for the fishing fleet to leave port. Until recent times, any skipper sailing before midnight on a Sunday would be the 'spik o the toon'. Today, it no longer applies. (B)

The better the day the better the deed.

As the wifie said fin she hung oot her washing on a Sunday. (T)

The Deil's aye gweed tae his ain.

The Devil is always good to his own. Crime so often goes unpunished it would seem there is some truth in this saying. (T)

The fat soo's erse is aye weel creash't.

The fat sow's hips are always well fleshed and rounded. The moral reflects a social injustice inculcated by the scriptural 'He who hath shall receive more.' (T)