Old Saying

[Dee Sa]

it went something like this ...." if ifs and ans were pots and pans"
anyone remember the rest pls ?

[sandyRoe]

there'd be no work for tinkers hands

[emeritus]

http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095957542

[sandyRoe]

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride; if turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side; and if IF's and AND's were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers hands.
Here's all of it, Dee SA

[Dee Sa]

many thanks to all and a special thank you to sandyRoe for going that extra mile. Hope you both have a good weekend.
Dee

[Tilly2]

We said, 'if it's and buts were pots and pans'

[Peter Pedant]

an is used in the sense of 'if' in Shakespeare innit ?

an it were......but I cant remember the rest - Macbeth - well it was 1966 !