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.
‡FLET, n.3 Also flait, flate, fleat and dim. forms flettie, flaitie, fleatag. Cf. Flackie.
‡1. A straw mat, used in place of a saddle cloth to prevent galling of the horse's back (Ork. 1825 Jam., fle(a)t; Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 72, flate; Ork.5 1951, flaitie).Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 X. 23:
They carry their victual in straw creels called cassies . . . fixed over straw flets on the horses' backs with a clubber and straw ropes.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vii. 246:
A mat about 3 feet square, called a flettie or flackie, . . . made of straw and floss-bands . . . was placed on the horse's back.
2. A similar mat of larger size used as a rug or hung up to exclude a draught or to act as a curtain or inner door (Ork.5 1952).Cai. 1907 J. Horne County of Cai. 123:
The outside door had the distinction of being made of wood, but inside doors — when there were any — had to be woven of “flate,” or plaited straw.Cai. 1916 John o' Groat Jnl. (31 March):
A “flait” or plaited straw-door sometimes did duty between the two rooms.
3. A straw mat on which corn is winnowed (Ork.5 1952); a straw mat of any kind.Cai. 1891 D. Stephen Gleanings 126:
Trailey, ye villain, ye've pooshion'd me; there's my hert's bleed 'po' fleatag.Ork. 1910 Old-Lore Misc. III. i. 28:
Da aits fell api' whit dey caad a flaitie made o' strae like da back o' a ald back steul, an' da caff jeust bleu awa.
4. A hurdle (Sc. 1808 Jam.), “commoner in Rxb. in this sense than Flake [q.v.]” (Rxb.5 1943).Rxb.5 1943:
The dogs had to drive fower sheep doun the field, then back tae the judges atween twae flets.
