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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1895-1916

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FLAIRDIE, n., v.

I. n. 1. Flattery (Kcb.4 c.1900; Kcb., Dmf. 1951); insincerity.Kcb.6 c.1916:
There's nae flairdie aboot that wean, he's real.

2. A wheedling person, esp. of a child (Kcb.1 1932; Kcb., Dmf. 1952); a two-faced person (Dmf. 1951).

II. v. To flatter, wheedle, cajole (Kcb.10 1942).Kcb. 1895 Crockett Men of the Moss-Hags xxxii.:
She cuitled Tam Lindsay, an flairdied him an' spak' him fair.
Kcb. 1897 Crockett Lads' Love i.:
Ye flatter and flairdie them a while — a' the women folk like a guid-gaun tongue.

[Prob. from Flair + -Die. The v. is prob. formed from the n. Connection with O.N. flærð, deceit, is unlikely.]

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