Fissle or fistle

Posted by R.Berg May 01, 2003In reply to Fissle or fistle posted by Steph Phillips on May 01, 2003

Does anyone know the origin of the word fissle, or fistle? My family use it and reckon it's a local Gloucestershire word, but I can't find any trace of it on the web.

It basically means 'not sitting still' or shifting around in your seat/bed, I suppose having ants in your pants would be another similar phrase. It's usually said as 'stop fissling around' or 'fissling about'.

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who knows where this phrase came from - thanks.

Stephanie

The Oxford English Dictionary has it: "Fissle, fistle," classified as Scottish and dialectal. "Fisle" and "fissil" are given as variant spellings.
First definition: "To make a slight continued noise; to rustle; to move with such a noise." Earliest quotation illustrating this sense is dated 1721.
Second def.: "To move about restlessly or uneasily; to fidget." Earliest quotation 1785.
Origin: echoic.