Does anyone know what a `MUCKLE` is?

[johntrevor]

There is a Scottish saying "Many a mickle maks a muckle" Mickle is a derivation of mitchel, meaning large or giant, but whats a muckle? Is there a connection to Highland cattle ( muckle coos ) ?
Thanks for any help given.

[Quizmonster]

'Muckle' means 'big' or 'big thing'...as in "the Muckle Kirk", being the largest church in town. Highland cattle are large, it's as simple as that!
Actually, a 'mickle' means exactly the same thing, which makes a nonsense of the saying you quote. It should really be 'many a pickle maks a mickle/muckle'.

[sophie_1003]

My mum looked this up in the dictionary yesterday and apparently a mickle can mean a small amount and a muckle can mean a large amount so many a mickle (small things) makes a muckle (a large thing/amount) although muckle can also mean exactly the same as mickle, very confusing really!

[jno]

my OED says the original proverb was 'many a little makes a mickle' and George Washington was the first known person to get it wrong. The word's related to 'much' and to 'mega'.

[johntrevor]

Thanks for all the help.