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Gwefan Cymru-Catalonia

Diarhebion a Dywediadau
Proverbs and Sayings
 
WELSH PROVERBS, TRIADS AND TRUISMS (1877-1880) collected from Llansanffraid ym Mechain by T. G. Jones, Cyffin

Adolygiad diweddaraf: Dydd Mercher 2019-11-27
Latest Update : Wednesday 2019-11-27

 (delwedd 0437m)

.

REVISED TEXT (modern spelling; abbreviations expanded)

TRANSLATION; an comments added in orange print

ORIGINAL TEXT (there may be a few errors in copying)

001

 blas pres arno
(Having the taste of copper on it)
An expensive article

with (a) taste (of) copper on it

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·004·) A blas pres arno
(Having the taste of copper on it)
An expensive article

002

Adar o’r unlliw hedant i’r unlle
(Birds of a colour fly to the same place)
Said of persons of similar tastes and like objects associating together. Almost universally used in reference to wicked and worthless persons, and of gossips, when seen assembled together.

birds of the same colour fly to the same place

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·006·) Adar o’r unlliw hedant i’r unlle
(Birds of a colour fly to the same place)
Said of persons of similar tastes and like objects associating together. Almost universally used in reference to wicked and worthless persons, and of gossips, when seen assembled together.

003

A ddwg ŵy a ddwg fwy
(Who will steal one egg will steal more)
A dishonest person in one matter will prove dishonest in more, and greater

The-person-who steals an egg he will-steal more  

See also: Y neb a ddwg wy e ddwg fwy

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·008·) A ddwg wy e ddwg fwy
(Who will steal one egg will steal more)
A dishonest person in one matter will prove dishonest in more, and greater

004

Adeiladu llong i’w gario i foddi
(Building a ship for himself to carry him to be drowned, or to destruction)
Said when a person has gone to enormous expense with a work which has proved ultimately his ruin.

build a ship to carry him to drown

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·005·) Adeiladu llong i’w gario i foddi
(Building a ship for himself to carry him to be drowned, or to destruction)
Said when a person has gone to enormous expense with a work which has proved ultimately his ruin.

005

Aderyn mewn llaw sydd werth dau yn y llwyn
(A bird in the hand is worth two in the grove)
That a person should well consider the consequences of a contemplated change before he commits himself to part with what is certain for the uncertain prospect of something better.
 

(it is) a bird in a hand which-is worth two in the bush;
 
See also: Gwell aderyn mewn llaw na dau yn y llwyn

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·007·) Aderyn mewn llaw sydd werth dau yn y llwyn
(A bird in the hand is worth two in the grove)
That a person should well consider the consequences of a contemplated change before he commits himself to part with what is certain for the uncertain prospect of something better.

006

A enillir ar gefn y cythraul aiff dan ei fol
(What is gotten on the back of the devil will pass under his belly)

“A gasgler ar farch Malen,
Ni thyf mwy na gwenith hen.”
D. Llwyd, of Mathafarn, XV cent.

[What is gained by riding Malen’s horse will prosper as the growth of old wheat].

Ill-gotten gains are quickly lost.

What is won on the back of the devil will go under his belly.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·003·) A enillir ar gefn y cythraul aiff dan ei fol
(What is gotten on the back of the devil will pass under his belly)
“A gasgler ar farch Malen, Ni thyf mwy na gwenith hen.” D. Llwyd, of Mathafarn, XV cent.
 [What is gained by riding Malen’s horse will prosper as the growth of old wheat].
Ill-gotten gains are quickly lost.

007

Aer Bodheble
(The heir of Lackland)
Said of a son without real property appointed for him. One of the sons of the Kyffins of Gartheryr, elected a “Dove on the wing” (volant) for a change on his escutcheon, because he had no land given him.

(the) heir (of) Bodheble - (the) house / (the) fact of being (of) without (a) place. ‘Bod’ is the verb ‘to be’, and also is also ‘house’ in place names)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·011·) Aer Bodheble
(The heir of Lackland)
Said of a son without real property appointed for him. One of the sons of the Kyffins of Gartheryr, elected a “Dove on the wing” (volant)
for a change on his escutcheon, because he had no land given him.

008

Aer Osceiffle
(The heir of Luckland)
When the first son is born, friends say, “Well, you have an heir now”; the reply, sardonically, is, “Yes, an heir of Luckland”, more literally, “if he can get land”.

(the) heir (of) Osceiffle - ‘if he-gets (a) place’ (the fact that the expression ends in -le makes it resemble a place name, since there are many ending with this element

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·012·) Aer Osceiffle
(The heir of Luckland)
When the first son is born, friends say, “Well, you have an heir now”; the reply, sardonically, is, “Yes, an heir of Luckland”, more literally, “if he can get land”.

009

A ewyllysio ddrwg i’w gymydog iddo ei hun y daw
(Who wishes evil to his neighbour, to himself it will come)

The-person-who may-wish evil to his neighbour to-him himself it-will-come

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·009·) A ewyllysio ddrwg i’w gymydog iddo ei hun y daw
(Who wishes evil to his neighbour, to himself it will come)

010

A fu Mari â’i llaw arnat?
(Has Mari had her hand on thee?)

Whether has-it-been Mary with her hand on you?

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·001·) A fu Mari a’i llaw arnat?
(Has Mari had her hand on thee?)

011

Ag un troed dan bob cesail
(With a foot under each arm)
Said when a person is seen going in a great hurry.

with one foot under each armpit

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·010·) Ag un troed dan bob cesail
(With a foot under each arm)
Said when a person is seen going in a great hurry.

012

Â’i ben dan dŵr
(With his head under water)
Being behind in the world, or in trouble.

= â’i ben dan y dwr; with his head under (the) water

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·019·) Â’i ben dan dwr
(With his head under water)
Being behind in the world, or in trouble.

013

Â’i ben wrth y post
(With his head to the post)

with his pen (tied) to the post

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·015·) A’i ben wrth y post
(With his head to the post)

014

Â’i din ar ei arrau a phawb yn ei yrru
(With his croup on his heels, and every one driving him)
These two proverbs are very similar in import, and refer to persons in trouble, anxiety and labour, trying to get the two ends to meet, and barely able to keep the wolf out.

with his arse on his legs, and everyone driving him

These two proverbs... {the other is â’i drwyn ar y maen llifo}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·018·) A’i din ar ei arrau a phawb yn ei yrru
(With his croup on his heels, and every one driving him)
 
These two proverbs are very similar in import, and refer to persons in trouble, anxiety and labour, trying to get the two ends to meet, and barely able to keep the wolf out.

015

Â’i din ar y did
(With his back under the chain)
Said of a person who cannot disengage himself from work, or who gives himself no leisure.

with his arse under the draught-chain

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·016·) Â’i din ar y did
(With his back under the chain)
Said of a person who cannot disengage himself from work, or who gives himself no leisure.

016

Â’i drwyn ar y maen llifo
(With his nose on the grindstone)
These two proverbs are very similar in import, and refer to persons in trouble, anxiety and labour, trying to get the two ends to meet, and barely able to keep the wolf out.

There is a comment on this after the saying â’i din ar ei arrau, a phawb yn ei yrru with his nose on the grindstone

These two proverbs... {the other is â’i din ar ei arrau, a phawb yn ei yrru}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·017·) A’i drwyn ar y maen llifo
(With his nose on the grindstone)
 

017

Â’i ffrwyn ar ei war
(With the reins loose on his neck)
When speaking of a young fellow bent on evil courses, and regardless of counsel.

with his bridle on his neck

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·020·) A’i ffrwyn ar ei war
(With the reins loose on his neck)
When speaking of a young fellow bent on evil courses, and regardless of counsel.

018

Â’i fys ym mhotes pawb
(With his finger in every one’s broth)
A busy-body, and a meddler in other people’s affairs.

and his finger in (the) broth (of) everyone

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·021·) A’i fys ym mhotes pawb
(With his finger in every one’s broth)
A busy-body, and a meddler in other people’s affairs.

019

Â’i gefn yn ddigon llydan
(His back is broad enough)
Said of a person having losses, but well able to bear them.

and his back sufficiently broad

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·023·) A’i gefn yn ddigon llydan
(His back is broad enough)
Said of a person having losses, but well able to bear them.

020

Â’i geg yn bwtsh
(Having his mouth in a pucker)
In the sulks, or offended.

with his mouth like a bag

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·022·) A’i geg yn bwtsh
(Having his mouth in a pucker)
In the sulks, or offended.

021

Ail godiad da iddo
(May he have a happy resurrection)
This is a sort of prayer, or wish, when speaking of a deceased friend, and is one of the remains of Popish prayers to be heard now and again among the peasantry.

(a) good second rising to him) |

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·013·) Ail godiad da iddo
(May he have a happy resurrection)
This is a sort of prayer, or wish, when speaking of a deceased friend, and is one of the remains of Popish prayers to be heard now and again among the peasantry.

022

Ail i fygu, dagu
(Suffocating is a counterpart of choking)
Said of two causes, or actions of persons, producing similar effects, and when two evils meet persons without a choice of selection.

second to smothering, choking

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·014·) Ail i fygu, dagu
(Suffocating is a counterpart of choking)
Said of two causes, or actions of persons, producing similar effects, and when two evils meet persons without a choice of selection.

023

Â’i lygad yn fwy na’i fol
(His eye is bigger than his belly)
Said of a person having a gluttonous appetite.

with his eye bigger than his belly

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·024·) A’i lygad yn fwy na’i fol
(His eye is bigger than his belly)
Said of a person having a gluttonous appetite.

024

Â’i wynt yn ei ddwrn
(With his breath in his fist)
One going in breathless haste, or in a great hurry.

with his wind / breath in his fist

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·025·) A’i wynt yn ei ddwrn
(With his breath in his fist)
One going in breathless haste, or in a great hurry.

025

Amcan llygad a gwaith llaw, gobeithio y daw o yn union
(A guess by the eye and a touch by the hand, it is to be hoped it will come right or straight)
Alluding to a work being done by mere guess, or without rule, or by rule of thumb, that there was no certainty it would succeed.

(a) guess (of) eye and work (of) hand, one hopes that it will-come right

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·028·) Amcan llygad a gwaith llaw, gobeithio y daw o yn union
(A guess by the eye and a touch by the hand, it is to be hoped it will come right or straight)
Alluding to a work being done by mere guess, or without rule, or by rule of thumb, that there was no certainty it would succeed.

026

Amled yn y farchnad, croen yr oen â chroen y ddafad
(As frequent in the market is the skin of a lamb as the skin of a sheep)

“Nid hwyrach daw i’r farchnad,
Croen yr oen na chroen y ddafad.” (Without doubt, the skin of the lamb will be brought to the market like the skin of the sheep)

That the young are as like to die as the old.

as-frequent in the market, (the) skin (of) the lamb as (a) skin (of) the sheep

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·026·) Amled yn y farchnad, croen yr oen â chroen y ddafad
(As frequent in the market is the skin of a lamb as the skin of a sheep)
“Nid hwyrach daw i’r farchnad, Croen yr oen na chroen y ddafad.” (Without doubt, the skin of the lamb will be brought to the market like the skin of the sheep)
That the young are as like to die as the old.

027

Aml gnoc a dyr y garreg
(Repeated blows will break the stone)
Most frequently used to denote that affictions oft recurring will prove destructive to health and life. Sometimes also used with the same MEANING or pallication as the common English proverb, “Perseverance will surmount difficulties.”

(it is) many (a) knock that will-break the stone

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·027·) Aml gnoc a dyr y garreg
(Repeated blows will break the stone)
Most frequently used to denote that affictions oft recurring will prove destructive to health and life. Sometimes also used with the same MEANING or pallication as the common English proverb, “Perseverance will surmount difficulties.”

028

Amser a ddengys
(Time will show)
Careful persons will not too hastily make up their minds and express opinions on persons’ motives and actions, and other quaestions of doubt, without taking time for consideration and inquiry, as time often works the issues out, and frequently it is the only exposition of things.

(it is) time (that) will show

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·029·) Amser a ddengys
(Time will show)
Careful persons will not too hastily make up their minds and express opinions on persons’ motives and actions, and other quaestions of doubt, without taking time for consideration and inquiry, as time often works the issues out, and frequently it is the only exposition of things.

029

Angel pen ffordd a chythraul min y pentan
(An angel on the road and a devil at the fireside)
Said of a man whose behavious at home is brutish to his family, but with strangers he can be civil and pleasant

(an) angel (at) (the) head (of) (the) road and (a) devil (at) (the) edge (of) (the) hearth

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·035·) Angel pen ffordd a chythraul min y pentan
(An angel on the road and a devil at the fireside)
Said of a man whose behavious at home is brutish to his family, but with strangers he can be civil and pleasant

030

Anodd dal hen geffyl â rhedyn
(It is difficult to catch an old horse with fern).
That deceptions cannot be repeated

(it is) difficult (to) catch (an) old horse with fern

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·032·) Anhawdd dal hen geffyl â rhedyn
(It is difficult to catch an old horse with fern).
That deceptions cannot be repeated

031

Anodd dal y ganwyll yn wastad
(It is difficult to keep the candle straight)
Used when a person tries to please everyone, and yet comes short of their praise.

(it is) difficult (to) hold the candle straight

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·034·) Anhawdd dal y ganwyll yn wastad
(It is difficult to keep the candle straight)
Used when a person tries to please everyone, and yet comes short of their praise.

032

Anodd dwyn dyn oddiar ei deulu
(It is difficult to strip a man from his family)
That a resemblance exists between members of a family in moral character; and equivalent to the English proverb, “Beware of a breed, if it be but a butterfly.”
“Yspys y dengys y dyn,
O ba radd y bo’i wreiddyn.” Tudur Aled, 1500 (The man will openly show what his stock or root is)

(it is) hard (to) take (a) man from his family

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·030·) Anhawdd dwyn dyn oddiar ei deulu
(It is difficult to strip a man from his family)
That a resemblance exists between members of a family in moral character; and equivalent to the English proverb, “Beware of a breed, if it be but a butterfly.” “Yspys y dengys y dyn,
O ba radd y bo’i wreiddyn.” Tudur Aled, 1500
(The man will openly show what his stock or root is)

033

Anodd rhoddi hen ben ar ysgwyddau ifanc
(It is difficult to fit an old head on young shoulders)
That the young cannot be expected to behave like old people.

(it is) difficult (to) put (an) old head on young shoulders

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·031·) Anhawdd rhoddi hen ben ar ysgwyddau ifanc
(It is difficult to fit an old head on young shoulders)
That the young cannot be expected to behave like old people.

034

Anodd tynnu cast o hen geffyl
(It is difficult to break an old horse from a bad trick).
Alluding to the difficulty of reforming men long accustomed to evil habits

(it is) difficult (to) pull (a) trick from (an) old horse

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·033·) Anhawdd tynu cast o hen geffyl
(It is difficult to break an old horse from a bad trick).
Alluding to the difficulty of reforming men long accustomed to evil habits

035

Ar gefn ei geffyl
(Riding his horse)
Sometimes said of a person who is elated after his success, or comes off victorious after a bit of a contest. Said also of a person in bad humour or in a passion, and of a person who had been forced to ride a wooden horse or “stank”, as a punishment for domestic brutality. It was customary some years back for the villagers to assemble after nightfall to compel a brute of a husband or a virago of a wife to ride a “stank”, or wooden horse, through the village for the ill-treatment of either towards the other, and for certain other faults they might have been guilty of; he or she was then paraded up and down the street, amidst jeers and shouts. - See Mont. Coll. vol. iii, p. 89.

on (the) back (of) his horse

Mont. Coll. = Montgomeryshire Collections

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·037·) Ar gefn ei geffyl
(Riding his horse)
Sometimes said of a person who is elated after his success, or comes off victorious after a bit of a contest. Said also of a person in bad humour or in a passion, and of a person who had been forced to ride a wooden horse or “stank”, as a punishment for domestic brutality. It was customary some years back for the villagers to assemble after nightfall to compel a brute of a husband or a virago of a wife to ride a “stank”, or wooden horse, through the village for the ill-treatment of either towards the other, and for certain other faults they might have been guilty of; he or she was then paraded up and down the street, amidst jeers and shouts. - See Mont. Coll., vol. iii, p. 89.

036

Ar gefn Pompei
(On Pompey’s back, or on Pompey’s horse)
For a man in the sulks.

on (the) back (of) Pompey

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·036·) Ar gefn Pompei
(On Pompey’s back, or on Pompey’s horse)
For a man in the sulks.

037

Arian y Saeson
(Englishmen’s money)
Sparks from the fire. A significant allusion to the Border warfare, and the conflagrations that generally followed in the wake of the Saxon spoiler.

Englishmen’s money

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·592·) Arian y Saeson
(Englishmen’s money)
Sparks from the fire. A significant allusion to the Border warfare, and the conflagrations that generally followed in the wake of the Saxon spoiler.

038

Asgwrn i gnoi
(A bone to pick)
Said of a sarcastic, or biting word, uttered to sting a person’s feelings.

(a) bone to chew / gnaw

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·039·) Asgwrn i gnoi
(A bone to pick)
Said of a sarcastic, or biting word, uttered to sting a person’s feelings.

039

Asgwrn y gynnen
(The bone of contention)
The subject of a dispute or discussion; the cause of any row or contention.

(the) bone (of) the argument

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·038·) Asgwrn y gynnen
(The bone of contention)
The subject of a dispute or discussion; the cause of any row or contention.

040

Awr fawr Galan dwy ŵyl Elian. Tair awr ŵyl Fair oni bydd pedair
(A long hour at the Calends of the year, two by the feast of St. Elian, three by the feast of the Virgin, if not four)
Expressive of the lengthening of the day; that it would have increased by the 1^st of January one hour, two by the thirteenth (St. Elian’s day), and three, if not four hours, by the feast of the Virgin, the 2^nd of February, ‘Candlemas, Old Style’.

{A footnote adds:} St. Elian had no place assigned to him in the Roman Calendar. But in the “Welsh Almanack”, published and printed by John Rhydderch, in Shrewsbury, for the year, we have “Gwyl Aelian”, January 13^th, and in the “Notice of the Law Terms held in Westminster,” or as he calls it, “Gorllewinol Fynachlys”, we have “Term Gwyl Aelian fy’n dechrau Ionawr y dydd ac yn diweddu Chwefror y 12 dydd.” The same notice may also be found in the almanack published by Evan Davies, Manavon, Montgomeryshire, and printed in Shrewsbury, for the year 1741, as also in that of Gwilim Howel, of Llanidloes, for the year 1773. The ancient “Law Terms” of Westminster, connected with the great Sessions of Wales, went by the name of “Term Gwyl Elian” (The Feast of St. Elian’s Term), and commenced, as above noticed, Jan. 23, and ended Feb. 12.

(a) big hour (on) New Year’s Day, two (at) (the) feastday (of) Elian, three (at) (the) feastday (of) Mary, if it isn’t four.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·040·) Awr fawr Galan dwy wyl Elian. Tair awr wyl Fair oni bydd pedair
(A long hour at the Calends of the year, two by the feast of St. Elian, three by the feast of the Virgin, if not four)
Expressive of the lengthening of the day; that it would have increased by the 1^st of January one hour, two by the thirteenth (St. Elian’s day), and three, if not four hours, by the feast of the Virgin, the 2^nd of February, ‘Candlemas, Old Style’.

St. Elian had no place assigned to him in the Roman Calendar. But in the “Welsh Almanack”, published and printed by John Rhydderch, in Shrewsbury, for the year, we have “Gwyl Aelian”, January 13^th, and in the “Notice of the Law Terms held in Westminster,” or as he calls it, “Gorllewinol Fynachlys”, we have “Term Gwyl Aelian fy’n dechrau Ionawr y dydd ac yn diweddu Chwefror y 12 dydd.” The same notice may also be found in the almanack published by Evan Davies, Manavon, Montgomeryshire, and printed in Shrewsbury, for the year 1741, as also in that of Gwilim Howel, of Llanidloes, for the year 1773. The ancient “Law Terms” of Westminster, connected with the great Sessions of Wales, went by the name of “Term Gwyl Elian” (The Feast of St. Elian’s Term), and commenced, as above noticed, Jan. 23, and ended Feb. 12.

041

Baich y gwas diog
(A lazy man’s burden)
A large burden to save a journey

(the) load (of) (a) lazy man

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·041·) Baich y gwâs diog
(A lazy man’s burden)
A large burden to save a journey

042

Bargen ddrud a’i chyrchu o bell,
Mae honno yn well o’r hanner
(A dear bargain (article) brought from a distance; that one is extra good)
This has an equivalent in the English saying, “Dear bought and far-fetched,” etc. Some people have a fancy for purchasing articles at a distance from their own home, and a foolish notion that they are better; and are content there to pay twice the price for the same article. Such conduct is against the rules of good economy and kind neighbiurly feeling, as well as sound wisdom.”

(a) dear bargain and its fetching from afar, that is better by half

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·042·) Bargen ddrud a’i chyrchu o bell,
Mae hono yn well o’r haner
(A dear bargain (article) brought from a distance; that one is extra good)
This has an equivalent in the English saying, “Dear bought and far-fetched,” etc. Some people have a fancy for purchasing articles at a distance from their own home, and a foolish notion that they are better; and are content there to pay twice the price for the same article. Such conduct is against the rules of good economy and kind neighbiurly feeling, as well as sound wisdom.”

043

Baw ar ben pric
(Dirt at the end of the stick)
A person risen from low circumstances, and having forgotten his antecendents. A person of unkind disposition, naturally spiteful.

dirt on (the) end (of) (a) stick

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·594·) Baw ar ben pric
(Dirt at the end of the stick)
A person risen from low circumstances, and having forgotten his antecendents. A person of unkind disposition, naturally spiteful.

044

Bendith Duw yn y tŷ
(The blessing of God be in the house)
See Duw yn dda i chi

(the blessing (of) God in the house

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·043·) Bendith Duw yn y tŷ
(The blessing of God be in the house)

045

Berwi dŵr a’i daflu allan (Original text has: a’i tawlu)
(Boiling water, and then throwing it out)
Purposeless effort.

boiling water and throwing it out

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·593·) Berwi dwr a’i daflu allan (Original text has: a’i tawlu)
(Boiling water, and then throwing it out)
Purposeless effort.

046

Beth gewch chi o’r domen ond tail?
(What can you get from the mixen but muck?)
From a man of rough conduct we may expect rude behaviour. So, in English, “What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?”

what will you get / do you get from the dung heap but dung?

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·046·) ’Beth a gewch chi o’r domen ond tail?
(What can you get from the mixen but muck?)
From a man of rough conduct we may expect rude behaviour. So, in English, “What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?”

047

Blawd wyneb
(A floury face)
A hollow, deceitful person; a person with a masked face.

(a) flour-face

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·047·) Blawd wyneb
(A floury face)
A hollow, deceitful person; a person with a masked face.

048

Blew ar ei ddwylo
(With hair on his hands)
Said of a person of a thievish propensity.

hair on his hands

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·048·) Blew ar ei ddwylo
(With hair on his hands)
Said of a person of a thievish propensity.

049

Blingo lleuen am ei chroen
(To flay a louse for its skin)
Miserly - “skin flint”.

flay (a) louse for its skin

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·595·) Blingo lleuen am ei chroen
(To flay a louse for its skin)
Miserly - “skin flint”.

050

Bob yn ail y rhed y cŵn
(The dogs should run alternate)
That there should be a division of labour, and that each one should take his turn.

(it is) alternately (that) the dogs run

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·049·) Bob yn ail y rhed y cwn
(The dogs should run alternate)
That there should be a division of labour, and that each one should take his turn.

051

Boddi’r melinydd
(To drown the miller)
Said when too much water is put to flour in kneading.

drowning the miller

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·050·) Boddi’r melinydd
(To drown the miller)
Said when too much water is put to flour in kneading.

052

Boddlon fi os boddlon Siôn Tudur
A boddlon Siôn Tudur os boddlon y wraig
A boddlon y wraig os boddlon sydd raid
(I am willing if Shon Tudor is willing, And Shon Tudor is willing, if willing the wife, And the wife is willing if compelled to be willing).
A form of saying by an unwilling person to do a work; and said to, or of, one who advances excuses rather than perform an action which ultimately he may have to complete.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·052·) Boddlon fi os boddlon Sion Tudur
A boddlon Sion Tudur os boddlon y wraig
A boddlon y wraig os boddlon sydd raid
(I am willing if Shon Tudor is willing, And Shon Tudor is willing, if willing the wife, And the wife is willing if compelled to be willing).
A form of saying by an unwilling person to do a work; and said to, or of, one who advances excuses rather than perform an action which ultimately he may have to complete.

053

Bod heb yr un picyn pan bydd yn glawio potes
(To be without a bowl when it is raining broth)
An opportunity lost.

be without the one (= a single) bowl when it is raining broth

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·599·) Bod heb yr un picyn pan bydd yn gwlawio potes
(To be without a bowl when it is raining broth)
An opportunity lost.

054

Bod yn dân ac yn garth
(Fire and flax)

fire and flax

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·542·) Yn dân ac yn garth
(Fire and flax)

055

Boed da ar y cwmpeini
(May good be on the company)
A kind of apology offered when the rules of etiquette were broken, similar in purport with the English - “I beg your pardon”; or, as I have heard old people say, “Saving your presence, Sir”.

may-there-be good on thw company

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·596·) Boed da ar y cwmpeini
(May good be on the company)
A kind of apology offered when the rules of etiquette were broken, similar in purport with the English - “I beg your pardon”; or, as I have heard old people say, “Saving your presence, Sir”.

056

Bohe te a bara menyn bach
(Bohea tea, and thin bread and butter)
Poverty.

Bohea tae and little butter-bread

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·597·) Bohê Tê a bara menyn bâch
(Bohea tea, and thin bread and butter)
Poverty.

057

Bore dros nos
(Early, over-night)
Said of a lazy man’s promise to rise early on the morrow. Similar to the English proverb, “Jack at night, but John in the morning.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·051·) Bore dros nos
(Early, over-night)
Said of a lazy man’s promise to rise early on the morrow. Similar to the English proverb, “Jack at night, but John in the morning.”

058

Brân i bob brân, a dwy frân i frân front
(A crow for every crow, and two crows for an unkind one)
It is believed that every crow has a mate, and that marriage is the state of man. The latter part intimates that a cruel husband, should he become a widower, will have no difficulty in obtaining a second wife, his treatment of the first notwithstanding.

(a) crow to every crow, and two crows to a dirty / cruel / unkind crow

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·053·) Brân i bob brân, a dwy frân i frân front
(A crow for every crow, and two crows for an unkind one)
It is believed that every crow has a mate, and that marriage is the state of man. The latter part intimates that a cruel husband, should he become a widower, will have no difficulty in obtaining a second wife, his treatment of the first notwithstanding.

059

Brid Mari’r crydd
(Mari the shoemaker’s wife’s breed)
These expressions have become local proverbs or sayings from the following circumstance. There lived in a cottage where now stands Bryn-tanad, in this neighbourhood, an old midwife and nurse named Mary, a shoemaker’s wife, and notorious for her evil temper and foul tongue and as some of her nurselings turned out in after-life wicked, it became a belief among a certain class that she had infused an evil power or influence into them at their birth. Therefore wicked and unruly children are called here “Mary’s breed”; and when a person exhibits signs of violent temper, or turns out notorious in evil practices, he is addressed, “Has Mary had her hand on thee?”

(the) breed (of) Mary the shoemaker, or Mary (wife) (of) the shoemaker

Bryn-tanad {= Bryntanad
(“Bye-Gones Relating to Wales and the Border Counties”, 1873: There was a firm belief that children might be morally influenced through life by circumstances which took place at their birth. Breed Mari’r crydd is a common saying synonymous with the term “Jail bird,” signifying also an unruly, mischievous child. The following was the origin of the saying: There lived in the Vale of the Tannad a shoemaker’s wife of the name of Mary. She acted as a midwife and nurse in that district. She was a noted scold, and being well known for her wicked propensities it was firmly believed that all children at whose birth Mary attended received from her very much of her evil habits, and the impression thus received clung to the child through life. “A fu Mari a’i llaw arnat?” = has Mary had her hand on thee? is a question anything but complimentary, and the title of “Mary the Shoemaker’s breed” is a general term given to all the wicked urchins of the locality)}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·002·) Brid Mari’r crydd
(Mari the shoemaker’s wife’s breed)
These expressions have become local proverbs or sayings from the following circumstance. There lived in a cottage where now stands Bryn-tanad, in this neighbourhood, an old midwife and nurse named Mary, a shoemaker’s wife, and notorious for her evil temper and foul-tongue; and as some of her nurselings turned out in after-life wicked, it became a belief among a certain class that she had infused an evil power or influence into them at their birth. Therefore wicked and unruly children are called here “Mary’s breed”; and when a person exhibits signs of violent temper, or turns out notorious in evil practices, he is addressed, “Has Mary had her hand on thee?”

060

Buan y cerdda newydd drwg
(Bad news travels quickly)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·055·) Buan y cerdda newydd drwg
(Bad news travels quickly)

061

Buan y cynheua hen bentewyn
(An old ember will soon ignite)
Alluding to old courtship, i.e., quickly renewed

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·054·) Buan y cynheua hen bentewyn
(An old ember will soon ignite)
Alluding to old courtship, i.e., quickly renewed

062

Bwcram
(Buckram)
Buckram was an article with much starch and stiffness in it, at one time much used by milliners, etc., and the expression in question refers to a person of a proud, haughty, pompous, or affected bearing.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·056·) Bwcram
(Buckram)
Buckram was an article with much starch and stiffness in it, at one time much used by milliners, etc., and the expression in question refers to a person of a proud, haughty, pompous, or affected bearing.

063

Bwrw cath i gythraul
(Casting the cat to the devil)
Said when a person commits an act thoughtles of the consequences that may follow. The expression is held by some antiquaries to be, properly, “Bwrw’r caeth i’r cythraul”, (casting the conquered to the devil), originating in the custom or rite, saif to be in use by the Druids, of making a sacrifice by burning captured enemies in huge wicker-work images.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·059·) Bwrw cath i gythraul
(Casting the cat to the devil)
Said when a person commits an act thoughtles of the consequences that may follow. The expression is held by some antiquaries to be, properly, “Bwrw’r caeth i’r cythraul”, (casting the conquered to the devil), originating in the custom or rite, saif to be in use by the Druids, of making a sacrifice by burning captured enemies in huge wicker-work images.

064

Bwyta potes â myniawyd
(Eating broth with an awl)
too much noise in eating.

eating broth with (an) awl

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·598·) Bwyta potes a myniawyd
(Eating broth with an awl)
too much noise in eating.

065

Bwyta’r mêl o’r cwch
(Eating the honey out of the hive)
A person consuming both interest and the principal

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·057·) Bwyta’r mêl o’r cwch
(Eating the honey out of the hive)
A person consuming both interest and the principal

066

Bwyta’r ysgubor drwy newyn
(Eating up the barn, and still hungry)
Said of a family who, though having plenty, live so stintingly that they appear to be in great poverty.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·058·) Bwyta’r ysgubor drwy newyn
(Eating up the barn, and still hungry)
Said of a family who, though having plenty, live so stintingly that they appear to be in great poverty.

067

Byd crwn cyfan
(The whole round world)
A phrase expressive of some great imaginary good that would be refused, and used to show intense feeling of pleasure in the enjoyment of what is possessed at the time; e.g. a mother would say, “I would not take ‘the whole round world’ for this infant.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·062·) Byd crwn cyfan
(The whole round world)
A phrase expressive of some great imaginary good that would be refused, and used to show intense feeling of pleasure in the enjoyment of what is possessed at the time; e.g. a mother would say, “I would not take ‘the whole round world’ for this infant.”

068

Bydd fyw farch ti gei geirch
(Live horse thou shalt have oats)
Said of a person whose promises are better than his performances.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·061·) Bydd fyw farch ti gei geirch
(Live horse thou shalt have oats)
Said of a person whose promises are better than his performances.

069

Byd o’r gorau bwyd ag arian
(A living of the best kind; food and money)
This saying has the “ring” of the prosodial alliteration of the language (ex. b-d-g-r - b-d-g-r) in it. It is used by a person content with his circumstances, when he has the necessaries of life.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·060·) Byd o’r goreu bwyd ag arian
(A living of the best kind; food and money)
This saying has the “ring” of the prosodial alliteration of the language (ex. b-d-g-r - b-d-g-r) in it. It is used by a person content with his circumstances, when he has the necessaries of life.

070

Byw ar ei stwmp ei hun
(Living on his own mash)
Supported by his own earnings. “Living on his own hook.”

living on his own mash

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·600·) Byw ar ei stwmp ei hûn
(Living on his own mash)
Supported by his own earnings. “Living on his own hook.”

071

Byw yng nghwm yr uwd
(Living in porridge glen).
An illiterate fellow

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·063·) Byw yng nghwm yr uwd
(Living in porridge glen).
An illiterate fellow

072

Cadw ci a chyfarth ei hun
(Keeping a dog and doing the barking himself)
Where a person keeps a servant and does the work himself.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·064·) Cadw ci a chyfarth ei hun
(Keeping a dog and doing the barking himself)
Where a person keeps a servant and does the work himself.

073

Cadw dy afraid at dy rhaid
(Keep they surplus to meet thy exigencies)
An advice or counsel to be thrifty and provident

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·066·) Cadw dy afraid at dy rhaid
(Keep they surplus to meet thy exigencies)
An advice or counsel to be thrifty and provident

074

Cadw’r ael
(Keeping the front)
Being in possession of property.

keeping the forehead

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·563·) Yn cadw’r ael
(Keeping the front)
Being in possession of property.

075

Cadw’r pen clap i fyny
(Keep the stout and uppermost)
Keeping up one’s spirits; the reverse of despondency

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·067·) Cadw’r pen clap i fyny
(Keep the stout and uppermost)
Keeping up one’s spirits; the reverse of despondency

076

Cadw ti gei
(Save and you shall get; or, keep and you will find)

A motto for a child’s saving’s box; also about keeping things in their proper places, and they will be conveniently found, and used in a sense equivalent with the expression, “Waste not, want not.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·065·) Cadw ti gei
(Save and you shall get; or, keep and you will find)

A motto for a child’s saving’s box; also about keeping things in their proper places, and they will be conveniently found, and used in a sense equivalent with the expression, “Waste not, want not.”

077

Cael ei gadw dan y gwpan
(Kept under the cup)
Of a person who is not allowed to have opportunites of improvement.

getting its keeping under the cup

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·562·) Yn cael ei gadw dan y gwpan
(Kept under the cup)
Of a person who is not allowed to have opportunites of improvement.

078

Cael y cwd
(Having the sack)
A servant dsimissed from his place.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·069·) Cael y cwd
(Having the sack)
A servant dsimissed from his place.

079

Cael y gath â’r ddwy gynffon
(Finding the cat with two tails)
Imaginary profits

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·068·) Cael y gâth â’r ddwy gynffon
(Finding the cat with two tails)
Imaginary profits

080

Caiff pob peth ei gyhydu ond edafedd gwrthban
(Everything shall be made of equal length except blanket-yarn)
That a person shall be rated according to his worth, or shall find his level. Excepting the hereditary titled class only, every one else finds his position in society by virtue of his own merits.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·070·) Caiff pob peth ei gyhydu ond edafedd gwrthban
(Everything shall be made of equal length except blanket-yarn)
That a person shall be rated according to his worth, or shall find his level. Excepting the hereditary titled class only, every one else finds his position in society by virtue of his own merits.

081

Camgymeryd y mochyn
(Mistaking the pig)
These three sayings refer to a person making ridiculous or comical mistakes.

 These three sayings... {The others are Caseg wen oedd hi; Cyfrwyo’r ceffyl chwith}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·071·) Camgymeryd y mochyn
(Mistaking the pig)

082

Can croeso gwraig y tŷ
(The purest welcome of the housewife)
The best welcome to a guest.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·079·) Càn’ croesaw gwraig y ty
(The purest welcome of the housewife)
The best welcome to a guest.

083

Cân di bennill mwyn i’th nain,
Fe gân dy nain i dithau,
Nid yw hynny ddim er hyn,
Ond talu’r echwyn adre.
(Sing a pleasing song to your grandmother, / Thy grandmother will sing the like to thee, / Which is nothing but repaying the obligation)

Kind words beget kindness; a favour done brings with it an obligation.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·074·) Cân di benill mwyn i’th nain,
Fe gân dy nain i dithau,
Nid yw hyny ddim er hyn,
Ond talu’r echwyn adre.
(Sing a pleasing song to your grandmother, / Thy grandmother will sing the like to thee, / Which is nothing but repaying the obligation)
Kind words beget kindness; a favour done brings with it an obligation.

084

Can esgor ifainc
(The young soon recovers)

(a) hundred recoverings (of) (a) young (person)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·075·) Can esgor ifainc
(The young soon recovers)

085

Canmoled pawb y bont a’i cariodd trosodd
(Let every one praise the bridge that carried him over)
That we should speak well of a benefactor and friend.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·078·) Canmoled pawb y bont a’i cariodd trosodd
(Let every one praise the bridge that carried him over)
That we should speak well of a benefactor and friend.

086

Cannwyll y plwy
(The parish candle)
The moon.

(the) candle (of) the parish

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·076·) Cannwyll y plwy
(The parish candle)
The moon.

087

Cant y cyferfydd dau ddyn na dau fynydd
(Two men will meet sooner than two mountains)
Said when two acquaintances meet at an unexpected place and time.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·145·) Cant y cyferfydd dau ddyn na dau fynydd
(Two men will meet sooner than two mountains)
Said when two acquaintances meet at an unexpected place and time.

088

Canu ei glul
(Ringing his minute bell)
Complaining.

ringing his death knell

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·570·) Yn canu ei glul
(Ringing his minute bell)
Complaining.

089

Canu’r dôn leddf
(Singing in the minor key).
Mourning, complaining.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·077·) Canu y dôn leddf
(Singing in the minor key).
Mourning, complaining.

090

Car dy wlad a thrig ynddi
(Love thy country, and dwell therein)

love your country and live in it

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·604·) Car dy wlad a thrîg ynddi
(Love thy country, and dwell therein)

091

Cario dau wyneb
(Carrying two faces)
Deceitful, false. “Double-faced”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·766·) Yn cario dau wyneb
(Carrying two faces)
Deceitful, false. “Double-faced”

092

Cario mawn i ben mynydd
(Carrying turf to the hill-top)
Taking a gift to a rich person. The same is heard in the expression, “Carrying coals to Newcastle”.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·106·) Cario mawn i ben ’mynydd
(Carrying turf to the hill-top)
Taking a gift to a rich person. The same is heard in the expression, “Carrying coals to Newcastle”.

093

Cario’r byd ar ei gefn
(Carrying the world on his back)
Taking over-thought for the future

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·169·) Cario’r byd ar ei gefn
(Carrying the world on his back)
Taking over-thought for the future

094

Cario’r cwpan yn wastad
(To carry the cup level)
Calmness of manner under provocation; and said of a person who tries to carry a middle course between parties at loggerheads, and to speak fair to please two interests

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·109·) Cario’r cwpan yn wastad
(To carry the cup level)
Calmness of manner under provocation; and said of a person who tries to carry a middle course between parties at loggerheads, and to speak fair to please two interests

095

Cario’r morthwyl â’r pinsers
(Carrying the hammer and pincers)
Said of a horse that ‘clicks’, or strikes his fore foot with the hind one.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·107·) Cario’r morthwyl a’r pinsers
(Carrying the hammer and pincers)
Said of a horse that ‘clicks’, or strikes his fore foot with the hind one.

096

Cario’r plât
(Carrying or taking the plate)
Taking the first prize.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·108·) Cario’r plât
(Carrying or taking the plate)
Taking the first prize.

097

Carn myniawyd
(The handle of an awl)
A person setting himself as a candidate for a post of honour or responsibility without the necessary qualifications to sustain the same.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·110·) Carn myniawyd
(The handle of an awl)
A person setting himself as a candidate for a post of honour or responsibility without the necessary qualifications to sustain the same.

098

Carthu’r stabl cyn rhoi’r ceffyl newydd i mewn
(Sweeping the stable before the new horse comes)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·111·) Carthu’r stabl cyn rhoi’r ceffyl newydd i mewn
(Sweeping the stable before the new horse comes)

099

Caru’r slater
(Courting the slater)
A girl is said to be “courting the slater” when her lower garments are longer than her upper ones.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·170·) Caru’r slater
(Courting the slater)
A girl is said to be “courting the slater” when her lower garments are longer than her upper ones.

100

Caru yn nhraed ei ’sanau
(Courting in his stocking feet)
A courtship carried on by a couple in the same house.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·105·) Caru yn nhraed ei ’sanau
(Courting in his stocking feet)
A courtship carried on by a couple in the same house.

101

Caseg wen oedd hi
(It was a white mare) These three sayings refer to a person making ridiculous or comical mistakes.

it was a white mare, (it is) (a) white mare that-it-was she

These three sayings... {The others are Camgymeryd y mochyn; Cyfrwyo’r ceffyl chwith}  

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·072·) Caseg wen oedd hi
(It was a white mare)
These three sayings refer to a person making ridiculous or comical mistakes.

102

Cath rhwng deudy, a chwningen rhwng deudwll
(A cat between two houses, and a rabbit between two holes)
As these little animals in such a case may quickly escape, so a person fertile in expedients will very quickly find a way out of a difficulty; also great speed.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·112·) Cath rhwng deudy, a chwningen rhwng deudwll
(A cat between two houses, and a rabbit between two holes)
As these little animals in such a case may quickly escape, so a person fertile in expedients will very quickly find a way out of a difficulty; also great speed.

103

Cau drws y stabl wedi i’r ceffyl ddianc
(To shut the stable door after the horse has escaped)
To take precautions after suffering a loss.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·113·) Cau drws y stabl wedi’r ceffyl ddianc

(To shut the stable door after the horse has escaped)
To take precautions after suffering a loss.

104

Cau pen y mwdwl
(Closing up the head of the corn stack)
Said when a person in business retires, having made a competency, or fortune.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·114·) Cau pen y mwdwl
(Closing up the head of the corn stack)
Said when a person in business retires, having made a competency, or fortune.

105

Ceffyl benthyg
(A borrowed horse)
Said of an over-driven horse, and when a person is seen driving his horse at top-speed. Apropos also when another person’s property is not respectfully and carefully looked to when borrowed.

(a) horse (of) (a) loan

See also Si hwa ceffyl benthyg

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·117·) Ceffyl benthyg
(A borrowed horse)
Said of an over-driven horse, and when a person is seen driving his horse at top-speed. Apropos also when another person’s property is not respectfully and carefully looked to when borrowed.

106

Ceiniog gam
(A crooked penny)
Said of money earned dishonestly.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·116·) Ceiniog gam
(A crooked penny)
Said of money earned dishonestly.

107

’Chollodd yr ufudd erioed
(The obedient was never a loser)
Said to encourage children to obedience.

= ni chollodd...

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·173·) ’Chollodd yr uffudd [sic] erioed
(The obedient was never a loser)
Said to encourage children to obedience.

108

Chwarae cath yn yr haul
(Playing the cat in the sun).
To play false; double-tongued

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·161·) Chwareu cath yn yr haul
(Playing the cat in the sun).
To play false; double-tongued

109

Chwarae cecri
(To play coggery)
To cheat at play. Equivalent to the following phrases: “A Cornish hug”; “To gild the pill”; “To play one a brick”; “To play the humbug”, etc. One of the village greens at Llanrhaiadr is called Bryn Cecri, from the cheating at village games.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·165·) Chwareu cecri
(To play coggery)
To cheat at play. Equivalent to the following phrases: “A Cornish hug”; “To gild the pill”; “To play one a brick”; “To play the humbug”, etc. One of the village greens at Llanrhaiadr is called Bryn Cecri, from the cheating at village games.

110

Chwarae ei gardiau
(Playing his cards)
Bring out one’s whole energy to the point.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·163·) Chwareu ei gardiau
(Playing his cards)
Bring out one’s whole energy to the point.

111

Chwarae ffw cat
(Playing “ffw cat”)
Deceiving; unfair actions

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·764·) Yn chwareu “ffw cat”
(Playing “ffw cat”)
Deceiving; unfair actions

112

Chwarae hen gi a chenau
(An old dog playing with a puppy)
The strong taking advantage of the weak.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·162·) Chwareu hen gi a chenau
(An old dog playing with a puppy)
The strong taking advantage of the weak.

113

Chwarae’r ffon ddwybig
(Playing the quarter-staff, or two-pointed staff)
Simulating, counterfeiting. The expression is taken from one of the twenty-four ancient games of Wales. The quarter-staff (literally, “the two-pointed staff”,) said to be used by them, was supposed to be a pole about eight feet long, and pointed at both ends. A knowledge of the game is now lost in Wales. (Footnote: We are informed that Quarterstaff is still played in Yorkshire. The staff is 8ft. long, but not pointed)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·164·) Chwareu’r ffon ddwybig
(Playing the quarter-staff, or two-pointed staff)
Simulating, counterfeiting. The expression is taken from one of the twenty-four ancient games of Wales. The quarter-staff (literally, “the two-pointed staff”,) said to be used by them, was supposed to be a pole about eight feet long, and pointed at both ends. A knowledge of the game is now lost in Wales. (Footnote: We are informed that Quarterstaff is still played in Yorkshire. The staff is 8ft. long, but not pointed)

114

Chwech o un a hanner dwsin o’r llall
(Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other)
Similar, alike; without room to choose

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·160·) Chwech o un a haner dwsin o’r llall
(Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other)
Similar, alike; without room to choose

115

Chwefror chwerw porchell marw,
Ond os bydd ef byw fe dry y derw.
(A very cold February kills the sucking pig; But if it live it will root-up the oak trees)
A February pig is of higher value in Market.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·168·) Chwefror chwerw porchell marw,
Ond os bydd ef byw fe dry y derw.
(A very cold February kills the sucking pig; But if it live it will root-up the oak trees)
A February pig is of higher value in Market.

116

Chwefror chwyth gŵyd y neidr oddiar ei nyth
(A February wind will bring the snake out of its nest)

Chwefror chwith a gŵyd...

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·167·) Chwefror chwyth gwyd y neidr oddiar ei nyth
(A February wind will bring the snake out of its nest)

117

Chwilio am bin mewn das wair
(Searching for a pin in a hayrick)
Searching for a thing not easily, or probably may be, found.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·166·) Chwilio am bin mewn das wair
(Searching for a pin in a hayrick)
Searching for a thing not easily, or probably may be, found.

118

Chwythu llwch i’w lygaid
(To blow dust into one’s eyes)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·159·) Chwythu llwch i’w lygaid
(To blow dust into one’s eyes)

119

Cipio fel cath i gythraul
(Going like a cat to the devil)
A person whipping blindly onwards at the top of his speed; and heards in the following phrases, - “With whip and spur”; “Running like mad”; “The devil take the hindmost”, etc. There’s a steep rock near Tal-y-llyn, in Merionethshire, called “Llam y Lladron”; thither, it is said, thieves and felons were taken, and made to leap over; if they could clear the bound they saved themselves, and if not, the jump was certain death.

flash by like a cat to the devil

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·118·) Cipio fel cath i gythraul
(Going like a cat to the devil)
A person whipping blindly onwards at the top of his speed; and heards in the following phrases, - “With whip and spur”; “Running like mad”; “The devil take the hindmost”, etc. There’s a steep rock near Talyllyn, in Merionethshire, called “Llam-y-lladron”; thither, it is said, thieves and felons were taken, and made to leap over; if they could clear the bound they saved themselves, and if not, the jump was certain death.

120

Ci yn cyfarth ar y lleuad
(A dog barking at he moon)
When referring to an illiterate person treating scornfully and disrespectfully the educated; and of the poor insulting the rich.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·115·) Ci yn cyfarth ar y lleuad
(A dog barking at he moon)
When referring to an illiterate person treating scornfully and disrespectfully the educated; and of the poor insulting the rich.

121

Clap dan ei aden
(A lump under his wing)
Wealth. The condition of a fat goose is judged by the size of the “lump” under its wing. Hence the adage.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·147·) Clap dan ei aden
(A lump under his wing)
Wealth. The condition of a fat goose is judged by the size of the “lump” under its wing. Hence the adage.

122

Cloch fawr
(The big bell)
A great talker, or babbler.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·148·) Cloch fawr
(The big bell)
A great talker, or babbler.

123

Cloch wrth bob dant
(A bell to every tooth)
Similar to the preceding.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·149·) Cloch wrth bob dant
(A bell to every tooth)
Similar to the preceding.

124

Clustfeinio
(Picking up the ears)
An eaves-dropper; to be all ear.

picking up the ears - ‘ear-narrowing’

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·549·) Clustfeinio
(Picking up the ears)
An eaves-dropper; to be all ear.

125

Clwt yn well na thwll
(A patch is better than a hole)
A recommendation to neatness.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·150·) Clwt yn well na thwll
(A patch is better than a hole)
A recommendation to neatness.

126

Cneifio â’r gweillaif yn y llaw chwith
(Shearing with the instrument in the left hand)
Awkwardly performing any work.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·151·) Cneifio a’r gweillaif yn y llaw chwith
(Shearing with the instrument in the left hand)
Awkwardly performing any work.

127

Cnoi’r bit
(Gnawing the bit)
Shewing an unbending and disobedient spirit.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·152·) Cnoi’r bit
(Gnawing the bit)
Shewing an unbending and disobedient spirit.

128

Cnu’r ddafad farw
(The dead sheep’s fleece)
The last resource. No further supply can be expected from the dead sheep.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·153·) Cnu’r ddafad farw
(The dead sheep’s fleece)
The last resource. No further supply can be expected from the dead sheep.

129

Coch cas ffidil
(Fiddle-bag red)
Said of anything looking the worse for wear; “becoming rusty”; seedy, like an old fiddle bag having lost its original brightness.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·750·) Yn goch cas ffidil

(Fiddle-bag red)
Said of anything looking the worse for wear; “becoming rusty”; seedy, like an old fiddle bag having lost its original brightness.

130

Coch i fyny teg yfory
(Red up, a fine morrow)
If the sky be red at evening towards the west, it betokens a fine day on the morrow.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·127·) Coch i fyny teg yfory
(Red up, a fine morrow)
If the sky be red at evening towards the west, it betokens a fine day on the morrow.

131

Coch i lawr glaw mawr
(Red down, heavy rain)
If red in the morning towards the east, a wet day is prognosticated on the morrow.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·128·) Coch i lawr glaw mawr
(Red down, heavy rain)
If red in the morning towards the east, a wet day is prognosticated on the morrow.

132

Cocio ei fwnci
(His monkey up)
In a passion. In a rage.

cocking his monkey (= horse collar)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·543·) Yn cocio ei fwnci
(His monkey up)
In a passion. In a rage.

133

Codi ei hŵyl i’r gwynt
(Raising sail)
About starting on an expedition or journey.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·171·) Codi ei hwyl i’r gwynt
(Raising sail)
About starting on an expedition or journey.

134

Codi ei wrychyn
(Bristling up)
Putting on threatening appearance.

raising his bristles

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·172·) Codi ei wrychyn
(Bristling up)
Putting on threatening appearance.

135

Codi ei wrychyn
(His bristles up)
On his defence.

raising his bristles

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·541·) Yn codi ei wrychyn
(His bristles up)
On his defence.

136

Codi melin i falu pecied
(To erect a mill to grind a peck)
Going to great expense to little purpose or profit.

pecied is a north-eastern form of pecaid

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·131·) Codi melin i falu pecied (’pecaid)
(To erect a mill to grind a peck)
Going to great expense to little purpose or profit.

137

Codi pridd ar ei gyrn
(Raising the soil on his horns, like a mad bull)
In bad humour; threatening revenge

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·129·) Codi pridd ar ei gyrn
(Raising the soil on his horns, like a mad bull)
In bad humour; threatening revenge

138

Codi’r hastal arno
(Raising the hay-rack from him)
Placing a certain quantity of food before a man, but not enough. Some hay-racks were movable, and thus horses may be robbed of their hay by putting it out of their reach.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·130·) Codi’r hastal arno
(Raising the hay-rack from him)
Placing a certain quantity of food before a man, but not enough. Some hay-racks were movable, and thus horses may be robbed of their hay by putting it out of their reach.

139

Coffa da amdano, mae o ar y gwir a ni ar y tir
(May his memory be respected: he is undisguised, or, on the truth, and we on earth)
A repectful allusion to the dead. Should the dead be slandered, this saying efectually stops the calumny being repreated. The good old rule, De mortuis nil nisi bonum, serves to illustrate the forms in view when the above is so often quoted.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·126·) Coffa da amdano, mae o ar y gwir a ni ar y tir
(May his memory be respected: he is undisguised, or, on the truth, and we on earth)
A repectful allusion to the dead. Should the dead be slandered, this saying efectually stops the calumny being repreated. The good old rule, De mortuis nil nisi bonum, serves to illustrate the forms in view when the above is so often quoted.

140

Coflaid fach, a’i gwasgu’n dynn
(A small armful, and that pressed tight)
That as much business as a man can manage is best

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·125·) Coflaid fach, a’i gwasgu’n dỳn
(A small armful, and that pressed tight)
That as much business as a man can manage is best

141

Cof pob diwethaf
(The last is always remembered)

memory (of) every last (one)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·124·) Côf pob diweddaf
(The last is always remembered)

142

Colli’r pen gorau i’r cost
(Losing the best end of a neck of mutton)
Late to dinner

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·132·) Colli’r pen goreu i’r cost
(Losing the best end of a neck of mutton)
Late to dinner

143

Cosa di fi - mi gosa innau di
(Scratch me - and I will scratch thee)
That one good turn deserves another. “Fishing for compliments”.

scratch me - and I-for-my-part will scratch you

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·601·) Cosa di fi - mi gosa innau di
(Scratch me - and I will scratch thee)
That one good turn deserves another. “Fishing for compliments”.

144

Cosi’r llygad chwith, dagrau fel y gwlith,
Cosi’r llygad dechau, chwerthin lond y bochau
(Itching of the left eye – tears like the dew; Itching of the right eye – laughings not a few)
The itchings, as above, are said to foretell the one extreme or the other.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·602·) Cosi’r llygad chwith- dagrau fel y gwlith,
Cosi’r llygad dechau - chwerthin lond y bochau
(Itching of the left eye – tears like the dew; Itching of the right eye – laughings not a few)
The itchings, as above, are said to foretell the one extreme or the other.

145

Cosyn glân o gawsellt budr
(A good cheese out of a dirty cheese vat)
Said when, by chance, one of good character stands as an exception in a bad family

 
See also Ni fu rioed gosyn glân o gawsellt budr

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·143·) Cosyn glan o gawsellt budr
(A good cheese out of a dirty cheese vat)
Said when, by chance, one of good character stands as an exception in a bad family

146

Crio’r fedel cyn y cynhaeaf
(To proclaim the gathering-in before the harvest)
To be untimely joyous and jubilant.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·157·) Crio’r fedel cyn y cynhaeaf
(To proclaim the gathering-in before the harvest)
To be untimely joyous and jubilant.

147

Crio’r fedel wyliau’r Nadolig
(To proclaim the gathering-in at Christmas-tide)
It is a custom still extant in these borders “to shout” the closing of the harvest. When the last sheaf is gathered in, the family assemble on some convenient hillock, and make a joyful shout; but to do this at Christmas-tide would be equally as untimely as to shout it before the harvest-home.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·158·) Crio’r fedel wyliau’r Nadolig
(To proclaim the gathering-in at Christmas-tide)
It is a custom still extant in these borders “to shout” the closing of the harvest. When the last sheaf is gathered in, the family assemble on some convenient hillock, and make a joyful shout; but to do this at Christmas-tide would be equally as untimely as to shout it before the harvest-home.

148

Crocbris
(A hangman’s fee)
An overcharge; the highest price.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·154·) Croc-bris
(A hangman’s fee)
An overcharge; the highest price.

149

Crogi neb ŵyr
(Hang him who knows)
To express that no one knows ought about it.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·155·) Crogi neb wyr
(Hang him who knows)
To express that no one knows ought about it.

150

Crogi’r ffidil wrth y drws
(To hang the fiddle at the door)
A sour-tempered fellow in his home, but courteous and merry when from home.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·156·) Crogi’r ffidil wrth y drws
(To hang the fiddle at the door)
A sour-tempered fellow in his home, but courteous and merry when from home.

151

Curo gras â phastwn
(To beat in religion with a stick)
To compel a person to live a religious life.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·121·) Curo gras a phastwn
(To beat in religion with a stick)
To compel a person to live a religious life.

152

Curo’r haearn tra fyddo’n boeth
(To strike the iron while it’s hot)
That is, to do each work at its seasonable time.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·122·) Curo’r haearn tra fyddo’n boeth
(To strike the iron while it’s hot)
That is, to do each work at its seasonable time.

153

Cweiro (= cyweiro) gwair pan y bydd yr haul yn tywynnu

(Not to lose the opportunity to do any work. There is a season and an opportune moment.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted; all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.” Shakespeare

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·146·) Cweiro gwair pan y bydd yr haul yn tywynnu

(Not to lose the opportunity to do any work. There is a season and an opportune moment.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted; all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.” Shakespeare

154

Cwsg potes maip os wedi ei ennill yn onest
(Light the sleep of turnip broth, if earned honestly)
That an honest man need not fear, however humble his fare. The tale goes, that two labouring men living as neighbours, and under the same roof, fared differently; the one had always plenty of good meat, stolen from the neighbouring farms, and lived well; this one looked down upon his fellow, and ridiculed his too honest habits and common fare. One night the dishonest neighbour was taken by officers of the law. The other, upon this, exclaimed, “Light the sleep of turnip broth”, etc.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·123·) Cwsg potes maip os wedi ei ennill yn onest
(Light the sleep of turnip broth, if earned honestly)
That an honest man need not fear, however humble his fare. The tale goes, that two labouring men living as neighbours, and under the same roof, fared differently; the one had always plenty of good meat, stolen from the neighbouring farms, and lived well; this one looked down upon his fellow, and ridiculed his too honest habits and common fare. One night the dishonest neighbour was taken by officers of the law. The other, upon this, exclaimed, “Light the sleep of turnip broth”, etc.

155

Cyan felused â’r mêl
(As sweet as the honey)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·103·) Can felused a’r mel
(As sweet as the honey)

156

Cyfraith y brenin dall - y cynta’ i ddarfod i helpu’r llall
(The blind king’s law; the first to finish to help the others)
Said at a table to discourage lingering over, or taking too much time with meals.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·139·) Cyfraith y brenin dall - y cynta’ i ddarfod i helpu’r llall
(The blind king’s law; the first to finish to help the others)
Said at a table to discourage lingering over, or taking too much time with meals.

157

Cyfri’r cywion yn y cibau
(Counting the chickens in the shells, or before they are hatched)
Reckoning on possible profit and value of things before they are ready for the market.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·120·) Cyfri’r cywion yn y cibau
(Counting the chickens in the shells, or before they are hatched)
Reckoning on possible profit and value of things before they are ready for the market.

158

Cyfri’r sêr
(Counting the stars)
Of a person who carries his head well up.

Counting the stars

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·547·) Yn cyfri’r ser
(Counting the stars)
Of a person who carries his head well up.

159

Cyfrwyo’r ceffyl chwith
(Saddling the wrong horse)
These three sayings refer to a person making ridiculous or comical mistakes.

 These three sayings {The others are: Camgymeryd y mochyn; Caseg wen oedd hi}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·073·) Cyfrwyo’r ceffyl chwith
(Saddling the wrong horse)
These three sayings {See also: Camgymeryd y mochyn; Caseg wen oedd hi} refer to a person making ridiculous or comical mistakes.

160

Cymeryd cennad ci
(Taking dog’s leave)
No leave or permission at all.

Equivalent to English ‘taking French leave’

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·138·) Cymeryd cennad ci
(Taking dog’s leave)
No leave or permission at all.

161

Cyn cwyd cwn Caer i...
(Before the Chester dogs rise --- )
To rise before daylight.

The Cestrians had this unclassic epithet as early as the days of the poet Lewys Glyn Cothi, 1450: -

“Aed fy nghwyn at Haul Gwynedd
Cwyn a wnaf rhag Cwn unwedd;
Rhag fflased rhag oeredd oedd
Caer Lleon gawr a’u lluoed.”
– L.G. COTHI.

(Let my complaint be towards the sun of North Wales; I shall complain against all sorts of dogs; Against the falseness and coldness of Chester and its mobs)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·134·) Cyn cwyd cwn Caer i...
(Before the Chester dogs rise ---)
To rise before daylight.
The Cestrians had this unclassic epithet as early as the days of the poet Lewys Glyn Cothi, 1450: -
“Aed fy nghwyn at Haul Gwynedd
Cwyn a wnaf rhag Cwn unwedd;
Rhag fflased rhag oeredd oedd
Caer Lleon gawr a’u lluoed.”
– L.G. COTHI.
(Let my complaint be towards the sun of North Wales; I shall complain against all sorts of dogs; Against the falseness and coldness of Chester and its mobs)

162

Cyn ddued â’r pitsh
(As black as pitch)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·089·) Can ddued a’r pitsh
(As black as pitch)

163

Cyn ddyfned â llyn Siôn ’Sanau
(As deep as Shon ‘Sanau pool)
Llyn Siôn ‘Sanau, or John the Hosier’s pool, is that deep water above the millweir on the Virniew.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·096·) Can ddyfned a llyn Shon ’Sanau
(As deep as Shon ‘Sanau pool)
Llyn Siôn ‘Sanau, or John the Hosier’s pool, is that deep water above the millweir on the Virniew.

164

Cyn ddyfned â phit glo
(As deep as a coal-pit)
These two last refer to duplicity of character, and to a person of crafty or evil intentions; shrewd, canny.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·097·) Can ddyfned a phit glo
(As deep as a coal-pit)
These two last refer to duplicity of character, and to a person of crafty or evil intentions; shrewd, canny.

165

Cyn ddyled â’r post
(As dull as a post)
Ignorant.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·088·) Can ddyled a’r post
(As dull as a post)
Ignorant.

166

Cyn dloted â llygoden eglwys
(As poor as a church mouse)
Extreme poverty.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·092·) Can dloted a llygoden eglwys
(As poor as a church mouse)
Extreme poverty.

167

Cyn dywylled â’r ffwrn
(As dark as an oven)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·098·) Can dywylled a’r ffwrn
(As dark as an oven)

168

Cyn falched â Líwsiffer
(As proud as Lucifer)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·094·) Can falched a Líwsiffer
(As proud as Lucifer)

169

Cyn farwed â hoel
(As dead as a nail)
Falstaff: What! Is the old king dead?
Pistol: “As nail in door.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·091·) Can farwed a hoel
(As dead as a nail)
Falstaff: What! Is the old king dead?
Pistol: “As nail in door.”

170

Cyn feined â’r gawnen
(As fine as gossamer)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·093·) Can feined a’r gawnen
(As fine as gossamer)

171

Cynffonna
(Tailing. “Wagging the tail.”)
Fawning, flattering, etc.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·135·) Cynffonna
(Tailing. “Wagging the tail.”)
Fawning, flattering, etc.

172

Cynffon wen
(White tail)
Flase; smooth, oily-mouthed, etc

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·136·) Cynffon wen
(White tail)
Flase; smooth, oily-mouthed, etc

173

Cyn frithed â hadau rhedyn
(As spotted as fern-seed, or spores)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·095·) Can frithed a hadau rhedyn
(As spotted as fern-seed, or spores)

174

Cyn goched â’r gwaed
(As red as blood)
Very red.

as red as blood

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·603·) Can goched a’r gwaed
(As red as blood)
Very red.

175

Cyn gymaint â mynydd
(As big as a mountain)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·099·) Can gymaint a mynydd
(As big as a mountain)

176

Cyn gynted â’r gwynt
(As fast as the wind)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·102·) Can gynted a’r gwynt
(As fast as the wind)

177

Cyn hyned â’r ffordd fawr
(As old as the highway)
Said of a child who apes an elderly person.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·085·) Can hyned a’r ffordd fawr
(As old as the highway)
Said of a child who apes an elderly person.

178

Cyn iached â’r glain
(As healthy as a jewel)

“Iechyd, heb eb orfod ochain,
O glwyf, - mor iached a’r glain.”
Iolo Goch, 15 cent.

(Hale, without a complaint
Of illness – ‘As healthy as a jewel.’)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·082·) Can iached a’r glain
(As healthy as a jewel)
“Iechyd, heb eb orfod ochain,
O glwyf, - mor iached a’r glain.” Iolo Goch, 15 cent.
(Hale, without a complaint
Of illness – ‘As healthy as a jewel.’)

179

Cyn lewed â mam y cŵn bach
(As greedy as the mother of puppies)
An unfortunate beggar. An avaricious person.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·605·) Can lewed a mâm y cwn bâch
(As greedy as the mother of puppies)
An unfortunate beggar. An avaricious person.

180

Cyn llwyted â’r llymru
(As pale as flummery)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·087·) Can llwyted a’r llmyru [sic]
(As pale as flummery)

181

Cyn loywed â’r dŵr
(As clear as water)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·101·) Can loywed a’r dwr
(As clear as water)

182

Cynnau’r tân i losgi’r tŷ am ei ben
(Kindling to a fire to burn the house above his head)
To create an uproar in the family, and having the worst of the quarrel to one’s self.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·133·) Cynnau’r tân i losgi’r ty am ei ben
(Kindling to a fire to burn the house above his head)
To create an uproar in the family, and having the worst of the quarrel to one’s self.

183

Cyn oered â’r iâ
(As cold as ice)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·104·) Can oered a’r iâ
(As cold as ice)

184

Cyn sicred â bod craig yn Llanymynaich
(As certain as that there’s a rock in Llanymynech)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·090·) Can sicred a bod craig yn Llanymynech
(As certain as that there’s a rock in Llanymynech)

185

Cyn sionced â’r biogen
(As brisk or as lively as a magpie)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·080·) Can sionced a’r biogen
(As brisk or as lively as a magpie)

186

Cyn stiffied â chath wedi rhewi
(As stiff as a frozen cat)
Of unbending temper.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·634·) Can stiffied a châth wedi rhewi
(As stiff as a frozen cat)
Of unbending temper.

187

Cyn syched â’r carth
(As dry as noggs, or as flax)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·100·) Can syched a’r carth
(As dry as noggs, or as flax)

188

Cynt na chynted allo
(Quicker than one’s quickest pace)
Without delay.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·141·) Cynt na chynted allo
(Quicker than one’s quickest pace)
Without delay.

189

Cyn wanned â’r gath
(As weak as a cat)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·083·) Can wanned a’r gath
(As weak as a cat)

190

Cyn wydned â lledr clytio
(As tough as soling leather)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·084·) Can wydned a lledr clytio
(As tough as soling leather)

191

Cyn wyllted â chath ddu mewn pot
(As wild as a black cat in a pot)
Said of a person in a fright.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·081·) Can wyllted a chath ddu mewn pot
(As wild as a black cat in a pot)
Said of a person in a fright.

192

Cyn wynned â’r rwmpwl
(As white as the wimple; a veil, hood or mantle)
Said of a thing cleanly washed and bleached, and sometimes of a person having a very pale countenance. (Footnote: “Wimple” is the name of the hood often seen on the female figures in mediaeval monuments or effigies)

In taking leave of the above examples of exaggerated comparisons, we shall quote “Old Humphrey” on “Exaggerated Expressions”: - “The practice of expressing ourselves in this inflated and thoughtless way is more mischievous than we are aware of. It certainly leads us to sacrifice truth; to misrepresent what we mean faithfully to describe; to whiten our own character, and sometimes to blacken the reputation of a neighbour. There’s an uprightness in speech as well as in action, that we ought to strive hard to attain. The purity of truth is sullied, and the standard of integrity is lowered by incorrect observations. Take for example, ‘We stood there for an hour; my feet were as cold as ice.’If the feet were once as cold as ice, there would be very little heat left in the head or in the heart. ‘I could hardly find my way; for the night was as dark as pitch.’ I am afraid we have all, in our turn, calumniated the sky in this manner; pitch is many shades darker than the darkest night we have ever known. ‘He is a shrewd fellow! as deep as a draw-well.’ There is an old adage that truth lies at the bottom of a well; I am afraid that it is not the bottom of this draw-well. ‘You may buy fish at Billingsagte as big as a jackass for five shillings.’ I certainly have my doubts about his matter; but if it be really true, the people of Billingsgate must be jackasses indeed to sell such large fishes for so little money, etc. Let us love truth, follow truth, and practise truth in all our works.” (P—hy Papers, {first word unreadable} by “Old Humphrey” (G. Moggeridge, Esq)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·086·) Can wynned â’r rwmpwl
(As white as the wimple; a veil, hood or mantle)
Said of a thing cleanly washed and bleached, and sometimes of a person having a very pale countenance. (Footnote: “Wimple” is the name of the hood often seen on the female figures in mediaeval monuments or effigies)

In taking leave of the above examples of exaggerated comparisons, we shall quote “Old Humphrey” on “Exaggerated Expressions”: - “The practice of expressing ourselves in this inflated and thoughtless way is more mischievous than we are aware of. It certainly leads us to sacrifice truth; to misrepresent what we mean faithfully to describe; to whiten our own character, and sometimes to blacken the reputation of a neighbour. There’s an uprightness in speech as well as in action, that we ought to strive hard to attain. The purity of truth is sullied, and the standard of integrity is lowered by incorrect observations. Take for example, ‘We stood there for an hour; my feet were as cold as ice.’If the feet were once as cold as ice, there would be very little heat left in the head or in the heart. ‘I could hardly find my way; for the night was as dark as pitch.’ I am afraid we have all, in our turn, calumniated the sky in this manner; pitch is many shades darker than the darkest night we have ever known. ‘He is a shrewd fellow! as deep as a draw-well.’ There is an old adage that truth lies at the bottom of a well; I am afraid that it is not the bottom of this draw-well. ‘You may buy fish at Billingsagte as big as a jackass for five shillings.’ I certainly have my doubts about his matter; but if it be really true, the people of Billingsgate must be jackasses indeed to sell such large fishes for so little money, etc. Let us love truth, follow truth, and practise truth in all our works.” (P—hy Papers, {first word unreadable} by “Old Humphrey” (G. Moggeridge, Esq)

193

Cysgu fel pathew
(Sleeping like the dormouse)
Heavy sleep. The Dormouse is called one of the “Seven Sleepers”. The English have the same saying, in “He sleeps like a top”, from “topo”, Italian for mouse, and applied indiscriminately to the common mouse, field mouse, and dormouse.

sleeping like a dormouse

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·565·) Cysgu fel pathew
(Sleeping like the dormouse)
Heavy sleep. The Dormouse is called one of the “Seven Sleepers”. The English have the same saying, in “He sleeps like a top”, from “topo”, Italian for mouse, and applied indiscriminately to the common mouse, field mouse, and dormouse.

194

Cyw cynnar
(An early chicken)
Said of a bold, forward child.

(an) early chicken

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·119·) Cyw cynar
(An early chicken)
Said of a bold, forward child.

195

Cywion gwyddau ac ebol bach,
Pam na ddaw Clamé bellach
(Goslings and colts have come / Why tarries May)
Signs of summer appearing, but the weather is that of a colder season.

Clamé is a reduction of Calanmai, from Calan Mai

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·142·) Cywion gwyddau ac ebol bach,
Pam na ddaw Clamé bellach
(Goslings and colts have come / Why tarries May)
Signs of summer appearing, but the weather is that of a colder season.

196

Da bod ei gyrn mor fyrred
(It is well his horns are so short)
Of one having but little power to injure.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·174·) Da bod ei gyrn mor fyrred
(It is well his horns are so short)
Of one having but little power to injure.

197

Dafydd Jones
(David Jones)
The rain – the sea. The English have – “David Jones’s Locker”, for the sea. We have a nursery jingle as follows: - “Morus y Gwynt a Dafydd y Glaw / Daflodd fy nghap i ganol y bâw.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·616·) Dafydd Jones
(David Jones)
The rain – the sea. The English have – “David Jones’s Locker”, for the sea. We have a nursery jingle as follows: - “Morus y Gwynt a Dafydd y Glaw / Daflodd fy nghap i ganol y bâw.”

198

Dal dy fawd yna
(Hold thy thumb there)
Not to change - but to continue in the same mind.

hold your thumb there

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·179·) Dal dy fawd yna
(Hold thy thumb there)
Not to change - but to continue in the same mind.

199

Dal ei law yng nghysgod ei lygad
(Holding his hand to screen his eye)
Of one taking dishonourable means to attain his end. An unprincipled person.

hold his hand in (the) shadow (of) his eye

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·177·) Dal ei law yng nghysgod ei lygad
(Holding his hand to screen his eye)
Of one taking dishonourable means to attain his end. An unprincipled person.

200

Dal y dydd gerfydd ei gwt
(Seizing the day by its tail end)
Commencing the work at a late hour of the day, and, in consequence, being compelled to hold on till very late.

catching / seizing the day by its tail

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·178·) Dal y dydd gerfydd ei gwt
(Seizing the day by its tail end)
Commencing the work at a late hour of the day, and, in consequence, being compelled to hold on till very late.

201

Dal y goes i’w blingo
(Holding the leg to be flayed)
Troubles in business. Adversity patiently borne.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·606·) Dal y goes i’w blingo
(Holding the leg to be flayed)
Troubles in business. Adversity patiently borne.

202

Dan boen ffelni (= fféloni)

(Under the pain of penalty or felony)
A warning often given not to perform that which is prohibited under pain, etc.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·621·) Dan boen ffel’ni

(Under the pain of penalty or felony)
A warning often given not to perform that which is prohibited under pain, etc.

203

Dau ar rwn ac ar ôl
(Two on a butt, yet behind)
Full of toil yet behindhand in the work. And of similar meaning with the English saying, “Full of blows and far behind.”

Two on a run, yet behind

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·176·) Dau ar rwn ac ar ôl
(Two on a butt, yet behind)
Full of toil yet behindhand in the work. And of similar meaning with the English saying, “Full of blows and far behind.”

204

“Dawch fy meistr”; - rhag ei ofn

(“Good be to you my master”; out of fear)
A policy, or crafty expression. This expression is an abbreviation of “Dydd da i’wch fy meistr”; that is, “Good day to you, master.”

“Good (be) to you my master”; for his fear

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·180·) “Da ’wch fy meistr”; - rhag ei ofn

(“Good be to you my master”; out of fear)
A policy, or crafty expression. This expression is an abbreviation of “Dydd da i’wch fy meistr”; that is, “Good day to you, master.”

205

Dawnsio yn nhraed ei ’sanau
(Dancing in her stockinged feet)
Attributing to the eldest daughter some mortification of feeling when a younger sister marries before her.

dance in (the) feet (of) her stockings

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·181·) Dawnsio yn nhraed ei ’sanau
(Dancing in her stockinged feet)
Attributing to the eldest daughter some mortification of feeling when a younger sister marries before her.

206

Da yw dant i atal tafod
(A tooth is useful to stay the tongue)
A reminder that a person should use discretion in speech.

“Da daint rhag tafo, - daw dydd –
Ynghilfach safn, - annghel fydd.”
- Iolo Goch, 1400

(Teeth are good to stay the tongue (a word) –
Shut it up in the mouth – a day may come to reveal it)

“O bu air heb ei warant;
Goreu dim ei gau a’r dant.
- Ieuan Deulwyn, circa 1400.

(For an unwarranted, or unauthenticated, word,
Better that you close your tooth upon it)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·175·) Da yw dant i atal tafod
(A tooth is useful to stay the tongue)
A reminder that a person should use discretion in speech.
“Da daint rhag tafo, - daw dydd –
Ynghilfach safn, - annghel fydd.”
- Iolo Goch, 1400
(Teeth are good to stay the tongue (a word) –
Shut it up in the mouth – a day may come to reveal it)

“O bu air heb ei warant;
Goreu dim ei gau a’r dant. - Ieuan Deulwyn, circa 1400.
(For an unwarranted, or unauthenticated, word,
Better that you close your tooth upon it)

207

’Ddaw henaint ddim ei hunan

(Old age will not come alone)

“Henaint o ddieiliant ddilyn
A ddaw heb wybod i ddyn.” – R.R.G.

= ni ddaw

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·182·) ’Ddaw henaint ddim ei hunan

(Old age will not come alone)

“Henaint o ddieiliant ddilyn
A ddaw heb wybod i ddyn.” – R.R.G.

208

Ddeil o ddim rhwng dau gorn malwoden
(It will not hold between the two horns of a snail)
said of weak, fine, wool yarn

Ddeil o ddim = ni ddeil ef
it will not hold between (the) two horns (of) (a) snail

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·617·) Ddeil o ddim rhwng dau gorn malwoden
(It will not hold between the two horns of a snail)
said of weak, fine, wool yarn

209

Ddim i gyd yna
(Not all there)
Not of sound mind.

not all there

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·185·) ’Ddim i gyd yna
(Not all there)
Not of sound mind.

210

Ddim mwy na chrepsyn mewn pit glo
(No bigger than a crabapple in a coal pit)
An exaggerated expression, referring to a person’s dwarfish appearance.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·194·) ’Ddim mwy na chrepsyn mewn pit glo
(No bigger than a crabapple in a coal pit)
An exaggerated expression, referring to a person’s dwarfish appearance.

211

Ddim uwch bawd na sawdl
(No higher than the heel or toe)
Of a person whose circumstances in the world get none the better after striving. Jocosely – of a person short in stature; sometimes allusive of a person dull in intellect.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·193·) ’Ddim uwch bawd na sawdl
(No higher than the heel or toe)
Of a person whose circumstances in the world get none the better after striving. Jocosely – of a person short in stature; sometimes allusive of a person dull in intellect.

212

Ddim yn bwyta cnau coegion
(He does not eat kernelless nuts)
That is, he lives on good fare.

not eat empty nuts

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·195·) ’Ddim yn bwyta cnau coegion
(He does not eat kernelless nuts)
That is, he lives on good fare.

213

Ddim yn eitha pen llathen
(Not quite a full yard)
Not of sound mind.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·186·) ’Ddim yn eitha pen llathen
(Not quite a full yard)
Not of sound mind.

214

Ddim yn gwybod rhagor rhwng ceffyl a buwch foel
(Does not know the difference between a horse and a hornless cow)
Expressive of a person’s ignorance.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·196·) ’Ddim yn gwybod rhagor rhwng ceffyl a buwch foel
(Does not know the difference between a horse and a hornless cow)
Expressive of a person’s ignorance.

215

Ddyweda’i ddim fod gwn fy nhad yn y shimnai

(I shall not tell you that father has a gun in the chimney)
Throwing out a hint. A slanderous inuendo.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·206·) Dyweda’i ddim fod gwn fy nhad yn y simneu

(I shall not tell you that father has a gun in the chimney)
Throwing out a hint. A slanderous inuendo.

216

Deng mlynedd yw can mlwydd oed ci
(Ten years is a hundred years to a dog)
That ten years is an age that a dog seldom attains. Extremely old.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·607·) Deng mlynedd yw can mlwydd oed ci
(Ten years is a hundred years to a dog)
That ten years is an age that a dog seldom attains. Extremely old.

217

Diboen i ddyn dybio’n dda
(It is no trouble for a man to think well)

without-pain for (a) man think well

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·190·) Diboen i ddyn dybio’n dda
(It is no trouble for a man to think well)

218

Diddrwg didda
(Neither bad nor good)
Good for nothing.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·619·) Diddrwg diddâ
(Neither bad nor good)
Good for nothing.

219

Digon o dafod i ddeubar o ddannedd
(Enough of a tongue for two sets of teeth)
A talkative peson.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·608·) Digon o dafod i ddeu-bâr o ddannedd
(Enough of a tongue for two sets of teeth)
A talkative peson.

220

Dim arian dim tybaco
(No money – no tobacco)
Nothing can be had without money.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·609·) Dim Arian - dim Tybaco
(No money – no tobacco)
Nothing can be had without money.

221

Dim mwy o dal arno nag sydd ar ddyn bach
(He is as uncertain, or as little to be depended on, as an infant)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·183·) Dim mwy o dal arno nag sydd ar ddyn bach
(He is as uncertain, or as little to be depended on, as an infant)

222

Dim mwy o ddal arno nag sydd ar y gwynt pan y bo hi yn daranau
(As little dependence upon him as on the wind when thunder is about)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·184·) Dim mwy o ddal arno nag sydd ar y gwynt pan y bo hi yn daranau
(As little dependence upon him as on the wind when thunder is about)

223

Dim ond dwy ffordd i wneud gorchwyl
(There are only two ways to do anything – the right and wrong)

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·188·) Dim ond dwy ffordd i wneud gorchwyl
(There are only two ways to do anything – the right and wrong)

224

Diod Adda
(Adam’s ale)
Water.

(the) drink (of) Adam

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·613·) Diod Adda
(Adam’s ale)
Water.

225

Diofal ydi fo ddim

(Careless is he – having nothing)
Of the poor, having nothing to be careful about; or one having no wordly cares to disturb the peace of mind.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·187·) Diofal ydy’(ydyw) fo ddim

(Careless is he – having nothing)
Of the poor, having nothing to be careful about; or one having no wordly cares to disturb the peace of mind.

226

Distaw’r gloch fawr tan y cana hi
(Silent is the big bell till it rings)
That irascible persons are silent until they are disturbed.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·191·) Distaw’r gloch fawr tan y cana hi
(Silent is the big bell till it rings)
That irascible persons are silent until they are disturbed.

227

Diwedd hen - yn cadw mochyn
(A bad end - keeping a pig)
Said of an industrious man, ending life in poverty.

old end - keeping a pig

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·189·) Diwedd hen - yn cadw mochyn
(A bad end - keeping a pig)
Said of an industrious man, ending life in poverty.

228

Dod dy goll i wr o bell
(Give thy larder to a man from afar (a stranger), and he will give thee a thin slice.)
See : Rhoi’r dorth a begio’r dafell

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·618·) Dod dy goll i wr o bell
(Give thy larder to a man from afar (a stranger), and he will give thee a thin slice. See 432

229

Does dim drwg dwyn oddiar leidr
(It is no crime to steal from a thief)
A vulgar notion existed that there was no punishment for such an act.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·192·) ’Does dim drwg dwyn oddiar leidr
(It is no crime to steal from a thief)
A vulgar notion existed that there was no punishment for such an act.

230

Drewi fel y gingroen
(Stinks like a fungus)
The fungus called the Phallus foetidus, or the Stinking Morel.

stinks like the stinkhorn

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·197·) Drewi fel y gingroen
(Stinks like a fungus)
The fungus called the Phallus foetidus, or the Stinking Morel.

231

Drwg cynt,  gwaeth wedyn
(Bad before worse still)

bad before, worse after
{= This is as good as it gets}

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·198·) ’Drwg cynt gwaeth wedyn
(Bad before worse still)

232

Drwg y ceidw’r diawl ei was
(The Devil keeps his servant badly)
Identical with “The Devil’s a bad master”; “The Devil’s a bad secret keeper.”

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·199·) Drwg y ceidw’r diawl ei was
(The Devil keeps his servant badly)
Identical with “The Devil’s a bad master”; “The Devil’s a bad secret keeper.”

233

Drysu’r priciau
(Disarranging the yarn sticks)
A man’s future plans or prospects turning out failures

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·762·) Yn dyrysu’r priciau
(Disarranging the yarn sticks)
A man’s future plans or prospects turning out failures

234

Duw a’m cadw rhag y drwg
(May God keep me from the evil)
It was a custom formerly, amongst old people of this parish, after having made the form of the cross with the finger, either on the forehead or on the breast, to utter the above wish or prayer.

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·611·) Duw a’m cadw rhag y drwg
(May God keep me from the evil)
It was a custom formerly, amongst old people of this parish, after having made the form of the cross with the finger, either on the forehead or on the breast, to utter the above wish or prayer.

235

Duw gadwo’r da
(The blessing of God on the kine, or God keep the kine)

Duw a gadwo’r da - God may-he-keep the cattle
See Duw yn dda i chi

ORIGINAL SPELLING AND ORIGINAL NUMERATION:
(·044·) Duw gadwo’r da
(The blessing of God on the kine, or God keep the kine)