better (-tth-) - Hamely Tongue
Source: The Hamely Tongue: A Personal Record of Ulster-Scots in County Antrim
Author: James Fenton
Comments: ‘The Hamely Tongue’ has been widely acclaimed as the authoritative record of contemporary (surviving) Ulster-Scots in its heartland of County Antrim where James Fenton faithfully recorded his dictionary items among a network of other native speakers over a 30-year period. This searchable online version of his book takes its text from ‘Part One’ of the fourth edition of 2014 and includes over 3000 word entries. The book preliminaries, supplementary word lists and end matter have been excluded.
better (-tth-) ~ better; be well advised to (Ye/Ye’d/Ye’ll/Ye’r better watch whut ye’r sayin: that’s his brither). a bit better somewhat improved in health. better nor; better than more than (There wuz better nor a hunther folk at it). Better rue sit as rue flit (see flit). know better have more sense or discretion (He knows better nor turn the word on the owl fella). wud be better tae had better. Ye know better! Ye know better wha made ye! (a warning response to a threat). Ye’ll see better noo! (said in annoyance or disgust to someone who has blown his nose loudly or offensively, or when such blowing has been long overdue; see also blow).
