Many a mickle makes a muckle. Whats that? Martian?

Answer 1

The word Mickle is used to refer to a lot of things (i.e. a 'mickle of notes'would mean a lot of cash).
It seems that Muckle means much the same thing (or a batch) -

In other words, it is the same as saying look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves - many little bits eventually make up a big bit.

Yet another clear as mud Scottish proverb...separating the wheat fae the chaf.
Just remember...aither live or dee wi honour!
;-)

Answer 2

According to the Compact Oxford English Dictionary, "mickle" and "muckle" are merely variants of the same dialect word meaning "a large amount."

The phrase, "Many a mickle makes a muckle" generally means that many small amounts accumulate to make a large amount.


mickle
(also muckle) archaic or Scottish & N. English

• noun a large amount.

• adjective very large.

— PHRASES many a little makes a mickle (also many a mickle makes a muckle) many small amounts accumulate to make a large amount.

— ORIGIN Old English.

— USAGE The forms mickle and muckle are merely variants of the same (now dialect) word meaning ‘a large amount’. However, the alternative form of the proverb (originally a misquotation) has led to a misunderstanding that mickle means ‘a small amount’.

Answer 3

the respond is interior of your question. In different words 'many'. It curiously comes from George Washington in 1793 who stated it got here from an previous Scot's adage. communicate with the hyperlink for extra counsel. Extract: yet neither boats nor beans clarify some expressions. no count if concerning protection tension approach or political maneuvering, George Washington enjoyed to declare or write, as he did in 1793, that “there is no adage truer than an previous Scotch one, that ‘many mickles make a muckle.’” every person who heard him use the saying knew what he meant: in case you attend to the small issues, the super issue would be dealt with. the issue, in accordance to Bartlett Jere Whiting, who wrote Early American Proverbs and Proverbial words, is that the expression has “the almost deadly flaw of failure to make experience.” In Washington’s ideas, “mickles” have been small issues that further as much as a huge issue, a “muckle.” Whiting says “mickle is a extensive quantity and muckle is a dialect variation of mickle, without replace of meaning. subsequently Washington’s adage capability that ‘Many greats make a brilliant,’ which isn't what he had in ideas.”

Answer 4

The correct phrase is "Mony a mickle maks a muckle"
It's scots and means many small things amount to a large thing
Mony - many
mickle - small amount
Maks - makes
Muckle - a lot

Answer 5

The phrase, "Many a mickle makes a muckle" generally means that many small amounts accumulate to make a large amount

Answer 6

Every little bit helps.

i.e. every penny contributes towards making £1.
every step contributes towards the mile
every word contributes towards the essay

It's one of those West Indian phrases (brought over by the Scottish settlers) that makes complete sense to the person saying it, but takes some working out if you are on the receiving end! One of my friends uses it a hell of a lot when I'm moaning that I've 'only' managed to do/obtain/complete part of something. It's kinda like saying - "don't be too hard on yourself - at least you've made progress".

Is that any clearer?

Answer 7

it's scot's isn't it.,I'm scottish and I think it has something to do with money many a coin makes alot of coins if you know what I mean.., actually I think I'm Martian.lol

Answer 8

many small things make a large thing. trust me i'm a tightfisted jock

Answer 9

Nowt as queer as folk

Answer 10

It's your crazy mind, crazy man.