Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†FEMMEL, Femle, v. To select, to pick the best with the idea of throwing out the refuse (Ayr. 1825 Jam.): vbl.n. femlans, the remains of a feast, the left-overs (e.Lth. Ib.).Ib.:
In this county, about forty years ago, when children were invited to partake of what remained, at the tables of their relations, after the jollities of Handsel Monday, they were asked to come and get some of the femlans.
