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.
FAIK, n.2 Also †falk (Heb. 1698 M. Martin St. Kilda 61).
†1. The razorbill, Alca torda.Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VIII. 159:
In the summer months, the swarms of scarfs, marrots, faiks, etc., that come to hatch in the rocks of Dungisbay and Stroma, are prodigious.Hebr. 1806 P. Neill Tour Ork. and Sh. 197:
In the Hebrides this bird is called Falk, or faik. It is sometimes called marrot.
2. In dim. forms facky, feckie: the kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (Cai. 1887 Harvie-Brown and Buckley Fauna Cai. 234, facky, also kitty-facky; Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork.2 1950, feckie).
[Origin doubtful. Falk is from Gael. falc, id. The other forms may be Sc. developments of this or imit. of the birds' cry.]
