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The Language of the Scottish Traveller: A Dictionary
By Pauline Cairns Speitel
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nettles
,
on nettles
noun phrase
in a state of anxiety or suspense, on tenterhooks, impatient, ill-humoured:
So Father was always on nettles when he lived among Mother's folks.
la19-
.
etymology:
Scots; from the stinging plant; attested by
BW