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: 1795, 1891-1943
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‡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.
