LL-L "Language varieties" 2010.04.06 (02) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 06 April 2010 - Volume 02
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From: jmtait <jmtait at wirhoose.co.uk>

Subject: LL-L "Language varieties" 2010.04.05 (04) [EN]



Mark wrote:



Eina! (Ouch!)
There is an error then, as well as an omission, in my version. I can only
object I had it by word of mouth, from two of which informants were referred
to as Scots. This makes me think of a generations-long version of
postman's-knock, or what is that childrens' game where they line up & pass a
whispered message along, & see what daffery comes out at the other end?



And as Scots is forgotten in Scotland, phrases crop up in more and more
peculiar forms. In one forum I frequent someone said:

"Here in scotland there is a saying "Many Mickle make a Mackle" loosley
translates to lots of little things add up"

This actual phrase is 'Mony a puckle maks a muckle', or 'Mony a pickle maks
a mickle' , and it means 'Many a little (literally, 'grain') makes much.'
It's often misquoted as 'Many a mickle makes a muckle' - confusing mickle, a
variant of muckle, with pickle/puckle. Here already the meaning of the words
has been forgotten and the phrase is just being parroted. But in the above
version, as well as using a plural verb with a singular noun, the form
'mackle' has appeared out of nowhere. Even the parrot has gone to sleep!

 This typing is getting burdensome; I've spent the Easter-weekend with
cordial foemen demonstrating broadsword-play in full-armour with naked
steel. I got a hammered finger. I was a lucky one.



Eina! (?)

John M. Tait.


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