Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MACPHERSON'S LAW, n. comb. A so-called law or principle that from any given situation the least fortunate of any possible consequences will befall the individual who least deserves it.Sc. 1952 Scotsman (27 Feb.):
We met a citizen of Edinburgh whom we shall call Macpherson. Macpherson propounded to us what he called “Macpherson's law of economics”. It greatly appealed to us. Briefly put, Macpherson's law holds that in any economic relationship Macpherson will always come worse off. If Macpherson has a modest meal, the bill will invariably be greater than the bill presented to his fellow-diners who have consumed more than he has. If Macpherson shares a taxi, the driver will, without hesitation, ask him for payment, and, if it comes to the point, Macpherson's taxi will almost certainly break down on the way to catch an important train.Sc. 1952 British Weekly (17 April) 10:
Does the Church not sometimes suffer from the delusion that it is a victim of Macpherson's law when in reality it is indulging in self pity?Sc. 1954 Scotsman (19 Feb.):
In various seances which we have had with him over the years, the true and only discoverer of Macpherson's Law has repeatedly stressed to us that the law only affects those who are basically decent, friendly and well-disposed people . . . It did not surprise us at all to hear that no sooner had they [Clan Macpherson] assembled for their annual dinner last year than all the lights in the city went out.