Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

FOLE, n. Also foal, †phoal. A small, soft, thick oatcake (Ork. 1808 Jam., foal, 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 96), sometimes made with the last piece of dough in the dish (Ork.⁵ 1952, efter fole), or baked specially for a child (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Hence livery fole, a bannock containing chopped fish liver (Ork.¹ 1942). [fo:l]ne.Sc. 1714 R. Smith Poems 81:
They can get Cheese to eat, With Butter and good Phoal.Ork. 1893 Sc. Antiquary VII. 21:
Chapped heads and livery foals (cakes made of fish livers, still used in Orkney).Ork. 1900 E.D.D.:
The soft gingerbread biscuits covered with small sugar-coated caraway seeds, bought at fairtime, were known as “sweetie foals” [Ork.⁵ 1952, “obs. since 1939”].Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 132:
A peerie puckle o' male — jeust aneuch tae mak twa peerie foles or a snoddy o'.