fegs Obs. exc. Sc. and dial.
(fɛgz)
Forms: 6–7 feckins, 6–8 fackins, 7–8 faikine, 8 feggings, 9 faikins, 7 fac, feck, 7–9 facks, 8–9 fags, 9 faags, faiks, feck(s, faix, 8– fegs.
[The forms here collected are distortions of fay n.1, faith, perh. with suffix -kins, frequent in such trivial quasi-oaths; cf. bodykins, by'rlakin.]
1. As an (unmeaning) n. in exclamatory phrases expressing asseveration or astonishment. See also i'fegs.
| 1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. i. iii, By my fackins. 1600 Heywood 1 Edw. I, iii. i, No, by my feckins! 1610 B. Jonson Alch. i. ii, How! Sweare by your fac? a 1627 Middleton Quiet Life ii. ii, By my facks, sir. 16.. Robin Hood & Q. Kath. 90 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 42 By faikine of my body. a 1654 Webster & Rowley Cure for Cuckold iv. iii, By my feck. 1726 Vanbrugh Journ. Lond. iii. i, No, by good feggings. 1768 Beattie To Mr. A. Ross v, O' my fegs. 1880 Jamieson s.v., My faiks! 1884 Chester Gloss., Good Fecks! |
2. As simple asseverative.
| 1638 Brome Antipodes v. iv. Wks. 1873 III. 322 Nay facks I am not jealous. 1790 A. Wilson To W. Mitchell Poet. Wks. (1846) 113 Fegs. 1804 Anderson Cumbrld. Ball. 104 Sae faikins we mun hev a sweat. 1863 Tyneside Songs 86 Faix they've got a warnin'. 1875 Sussex Gloss., Why! you are smart, fegs! 1891 Barrie Little Minister II. 191 Na, faags! it was waur than that. |