A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

A man who is his own LAWYER has a fool for his client

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  1809 Port Folio (Philadelphia) Aug. 132 He who is always his own counseller will often have a fool for his client. 1850 L. HUNT Autobiography II. xi. The proprietor of the Morning Chronicle pleaded his own cause, an occasion in which a man is said to have ‘a fool for his client’. 1911 British Weekly 21 Dec. 386 There is a popular impression, for which there is a good deal to be said, that a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client. 1975 D. BAGLEY Snow Tiger xiii. You must have heard the saying that the man who argues his own case has a fool for a lawyer. 2002 Spectator 30 Mar. 35 The man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client, and that goes double for retired law lecturers from Newcastle Polytechnic. "law and lawyers
  

lawyer see also the DEVIL makes his Christmas pies of lawyers’ tongues and clerks’ fingers.
lay see it is easier to RAISE the Devil than to lay him.
LAY-OVERS for meddlers
An answer to an impertinent or inquisitive child and others. The expression is found chiefly in the north of England, and in the US. Lay-overs, also contracted to layers or layors, are light blows or smacks given to the meddlesome (but see also quot. 1854). Cf. 1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew s.v. Lare-over, said when the true name of the thing must (in decency) be concealed.

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  1785 F. GROSE Classical Diet. Vulgar Tongue s.v. Lareovers, Lareovers for medlers, an answer frequently given to children.. as a rebuke for their impertinent curiosity. 1854 A. E. BAKER Glossary of Northamptonshire Words & Phrases I. 389 Lay-o’ers-for-meddlers,.. a contraction of lay-overs, i.e. things laid over, covered up, or protected from meddlers. 1882 NODAL & MILNER Glossary of Lancashire Dialect 179 ‘What have yo’ getten i’ that bag?’ ‘Layers-for-meddlers—does ta want to know?’ 1936 M. MITCHELL Gone with Wind xxxii. When they asked who was going to lend the money she said: ‘Layovers catch meddlers,’ so archly they all laughed. 1945 B. MILLHAUSER Whatever goes Up xv. ‘Know his address?’ ‘I certainly do. Ninety-seven Gramercy Park North, New York.’ She closed the door firmly. ‘Layovers for meddlers,’ she muttered. "busybodies; curiosity