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Re: Fey Nye?

Posted by Bob on June 01, 2006

In Reply to: Fey Nye? posted by Lewis on June 01, 2006

: : : In Reply to: Re: Feign Knights posted by David FG on January 04, 2005

: : : I too was wondering about this a couple of years ago. We used 'Fay knights' in the South London area when I was a kid (I accept that 'Feign Knights' is probably far more likely as an origin, whatever that means!)but friends from North London have no idea what I'm on about!
: : : Interestingly though about a year ago I was watching an early episode of Fools & Horses and Del did something to Rodney and immediately held up crossed fingers and claimed 'Fay Nites!'.
: : : Great relief, I hadn't imagined it after all!
: : : If anyone has any idea of the origin please let me know, it sounds like old English to me but who knows?!!

: : Really WAG (wild *ss guess) here, but after reading the previous discussion:
: : http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/38/messages/1568.html
: : I was wondering if "feign I" could be related to something like "playing dead - ignore me"? But what would I know -- we used to say "king's X" when I was a kid.

: I think it should be 'fain...I' as in forfend, fain would I - 'fain' used as in compelled - perhaps it is a contraction for "fain, not I" or "you are prohibited from choosing me".

: that is my WAG, but it does have some root.

: L

In New York, 50+ years ago, it was "fins." No clue as to origin.