Most counties in Great Britain have their own sayings and legends, and Hampshire is no exception.

Back in 1936, the Women's Institute published a collection of these rural stories and words of wisdom.

The weather was a great inspiration for many sayings, including "So many frogs in March, so many frosts in May." Then there was "If the birds be silent expect thunder", and shepherds were once heard to say "You may safely shear your sheep when the elder blossoms peep."

According to the WI publication, Hampshire people used to recite the rhyme:

"When the mist comes from the hill

Then bad weather it doth spill;

When the mist comes from the sea

Then good weather it will be.''

The book, titled It Happened in Hampshire, also highlighted sayings connected with the different seasons of the year, such as: "Don't say spring has come until you can put your foot on nine daisies.''

According to another Hampshire saying, the marks on an adder's back are supposed to be Chinese lettering meaning: "If I could hear as well as I see, no bird or beast would pass by me.''

Hampshire legends were handed down from one generation to the next, including this story about the New Forest.

"There is a pool, not far from the Rufus Stone, that is said to turn red on the evening of the anniversary of the death of William Rufus, due to the blood of the King having mixed with the water,'' records the WI book.

"There is also a track, known as the Red Lane, from that spot to Winchester which is said to be marked in the same gory way.

"Another spot, called Tyrell's Ford, near the edge of the forest, is where the fugitive murderer stopped to have his horse shod, and for a long time the owner of the smithy had to pay a fine, or tax, to the Crown, for having assisted in the escape of the King's murderer.''

There was also the rather uncomplimentary saying: "Bad Botley, Shocking Shedfield, Wicked Wickham, Worse Waltham'', while there were also some quaint remarks about health and sickness, including "He only crawls about to save his funeral expenses'' and "If you wish to live and thrive, let a spider run alive".

Some Hampshire words still exist to this day including the well known Southampton greetings "Wot cheer, mush!'' and "Wots on, Nipper!".

Send your Hampshire sayings to Keith Hamilton, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX with your name and telephone number.