A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Who SAYS A must say B

Only recorded in English from North American sources. Cf. Du. wie a zegt, moet ook b
zeggen, who says a must also say b.

1838 J. C. NEAL Charcoal Sketches 190 Not so easy as you think. .. If you say A,

they’ll make you say B. 1988 Washington Times 16 Sept. F3 But who says ‘A’ must say

‘B’, Mr. McCarthy. You can’t talk about victims and caring and knowing cows

individually while, at the same time, you treat carrots as nobodies! 2001 National Review

11 June 8 Either the state has the right to take life in cold blood,.. or it does not. If it does

not, then McVeigh must be carefully supported, at public expense, even to the point of

guarding him from other prisoners who might do him harm, for the rest of his natural

days. Who says A, must say B. action and consequence; necessity

scabbard see whosoever DRAWS his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard
away.

scarce see GOOD men are scarce.

scarlet see an APE’S an ape, a varlet’s a varlet, though they be clad in silk or scarlet.

scheme see the BEST-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley.

school see EXPERIENCE keeps a dear school; never tell TALES out of school.

scorned see HELL hath no fury like a woman scorned.

You SCRATCH my back, I’ll scratch yours

Similar in sentiment to one HAND washes the other (see quot. 1961).

1704 E. WARD All Men Mad 18 Scratch me, says one, and I’ll scratch thee. 1858 ‘A.

WARD’ Letter 27 Jan. in Maine: Guide ‘Down East’ (1937) III. 363 You scratch my back

and i will scratch your back. 1928 Manchester Guardian Weekly 10 Aug. 104/1 He goes

on to spoil the effect by accusing Liberals of hypocrisy and being false to the principle of

justice embodied in the phrase ‘Scratch me and I’ll scratch you’. 1961 J. HELLER Catch-