Re: If wishes were...

Posted by Henry on March 24, 2004

In Reply to: Re: If wishes were... posted by ESC on March 24, 2004

: : I recently heard a phrase "if wishes were cotton". I am wondering if anyone out there knows what that means, or knows where I can find a web site that would tell me. Thank you. Please respond to (ok I got it right this time)
: : jeffgordon_24fan@hotmail.com

: There are several versions, but I haven't heard that one.

: From a previous discussion:

: The full Scottish proverb:
: "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
: If turnips were swords, i'd wear one by my side
: If ifs and ands were pots and pans,
: there'd be no need for tinkers' hands."

: http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/17/messages/1203.html

It was originally "ifs and ans" which makes better sense and gives a perfect rhyme too;

If ifs and ans were pots and pans
There would be no need for tinkers !

an - conj. Archaic And if; if.