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.
Quotation dates: 1788-1841, 1916
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FA, n.2 Also faa (Sh.), faw. Sc. forms of Eng. fall, a mouse- or rat-trap, esp. one that falls on and crushes its victim (Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems, Gl.; Sh., Cai., Abd., Ayr. 1950).Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 45:
Ane grip't the bait, the fa' play'd sneck, An' catch't the hero by the neck.Lth. 1801 J. Thomson Poems 6:
A cow he left worth guineas five, . . . Likewise a ratten fa'.Ayr. 1841 J. Paton Original Songs 34:
Wi' monnie a well made milkin' boyn, Flails, faws for catching mice.Fif. 1916 G. Blaik Rustic Rhymes 171:
Dauve says he'll gang an' get a faw.
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"Fa n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/fa_n2>
