‘Never turn a loaf in the presence of a Menteith,’ originated with Sir Walter Scott, in his Tales by a Grandfather, thus: Sir John Stewart de Menteith was the person who betrayed Sir William Wallace to King Edward. His signal was, when he turned a loaf set upon the table, the guests were to rush on the patriot and seize him. Then there is the phrase, “to cut large slices out of another man’s loaf,” referring to those who look after themselves at their neighbour’s expense. A popular Scotch proverb tells us that ‘Bread’s house skailed never”; in other words, a full or hospitable house never wants visitors; and, according to another old proverb, “Bread and milk is bairns’ meat, I wish them sorry that lo’e it.”’
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries, by David Livingstone. Lond. 1865, p. 543.
[2] Mulcture—fine.
[3] Lose.
[4] A measure containing 10 homers, or about 60 pints.
[5] Vol. II., 89.
[6] Vol. IV., 167, 168.
[7] Ilios. By Dr. H. Schliemann. London, 1880, pp. 32, 33.