A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

lay see it is easier to RAISE the Devil than to lay him.

LAY-OVERS for meddlers

An answer to an impertinent or inquisitive child and others. The expression is found
chiefly in the north of England, and in the US. Lay-overs, also contracted to layers or layors,
are light blows or smacks given to the meddlesome (but see also quot. 1854). Cf. 1699 B. E.
New Dict. Canting Crew s.v. Lare-over, said when the true name of the thing must (in
decency) be concealed.

1785 F. GROSE Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue s.v. Lareovers, Lareovers for

medlers, an answer frequently given to children.. as a rebuke for their impertinent

curiosity. 1854 A. E. BAKER Glossary of Northamptonshire Words & Phrases I. 389

Lay-o’ers-for-meddlers,.. a contraction of lay-overs, i.e. things laid over, covered up, or

protected from meddlers. 1882 NODAL & MILNER Glossary of Lancashire Dialect 179

‘What have yo’ getten i’ that bag?’ ‘Layers-for-meddlers—does ta want to know?’ 1936

M. MITCHELL Gone with Wind xxxii. When they asked who was going to lend the

money she said: ‘Layovers catch meddlers,’ so archly they all laughed. 1945 B.

MILLHAUSER Whatever goes Up xv. ‘Know his address?’ ‘I certainly do. Ninety-seven

Gramercy Park North, New York.’ She closed the door firmly. ‘Layovers for meddlers,’

she muttered. busybodies; curiosity

lazy see LONG and lazy, little and loud.

If you are not the LEAD dog, the view never changes

Canadian saying.

1990 Reauthorization of the Export Administration Act: Hearings before the

Subcommittee on International Finance and Monetary Policy (United States Congress)

(online) None of us should relish the hardly comic prospect of the US crying from the

back of the cocom pack, ‘Follow me.’ As any dog-sledder will tell you, if you’re not the

lead dog, the scene never changes. 1999 Discount Store News 22 Feb. (online) He makes

his point perfectly clear with a distinctly Canadian metaphor. ‘If you’re not the lead dog

of a sled, the view never changes.’ 2007 New York Times 11 Feb. (online) But Mr. Rau

said action in Suffolk to stem scrap thefts could be a national model. ‘If you are not the

lead dog, the view is always the same,’ he said. ‘Let’s take the problem on.’ ambition