Brewer's: Wynd

Every man for his own hand, as Henry Wynd fought. Every man for himself; every man seeks his own advantage. When the feud between Clan Chattan and Clan Kay was decided by deadly combat on the North Inch of Perth, one of the men of Clan Chattan deserted, and Henry Wynd, a bandy-legged smith, volunteered for half-a-crown to supply his place. After killing one man he relaxed in his efforts, and on being asked why, replied, “I have done enough for half-a-crown.” He was promised wages according to his deserts, and fought bravely. After the battle he was asked what he fought for, and gave for answer that he fought “for his own hand;” whence the proverb. (SirWalterScott: Tales of a Grandfather, xvii.)

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language