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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.

‡FLISKMAHAIGO, -MAHOY, n. A giddy, showy or frivolous woman (Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xlix., 1823 St Ronan's W. xxviii.; Ayr. 1825 Jam., -haigo; Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.; Slk. 1951, -hoy). Also used attrib.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxv.:
That silly fliskmahoy, Jenny Rintherout, has taen the exies, and done naething but laugh and greet.Edb. 1821 Scots Mag. (April) 351:
Buskit up wi' sae many lang rairds o' dandillie teheein' an' fliskmahaigo chit-chat.Ayr. 1928 J. Carruthers A Man Beset 147:
Just a fliskmahaigo that had led your son astray.Abd. 1931 Abd. Press and Jnl. (19 Feb.):
A curn may please a flichtrife quine, A fliskmahoy fu' fliskie.

[The flrst element is Flisk, the second meaningless variants, with possible influence from the place-names Dalmahoy, in Midlothian, Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire. Cf. also Friskmadentie. Fliskmahoy is phs. a creation of Scott.]

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