Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FAIGHLOCHS, FAISHOCHS, n.pl. “Sorry working labourers, always seeming busy, yet putting little work past them” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 201); “fair-spoken parasitical persons” (Curriehill).
[Forms and origin both uncertain. ? Gael. †faichilleach, a hired servant.]
