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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FLETHER, v., n. Also flaither.

I. v. To flatter, wheedle, cajole (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Per. 1825 Jam.). Also ppl.adj. Ayr. 1786 Burns Ded. to G. Hamilton i.:
Expect na, Sir, to this narration, A fleechan, fleth'ran Dedication.Ags. 1818 W. Gardiner Poems 39:
Fleechers fletherin', Critics bletherin'.Sc. a.1825 Donald and Flora 13:
Aye, flaither awa! Since I'll no do wi' foul play, try me wi' fair play.m.Sc. 1998 William Neill in Neil R. MacCallum Lallans 51 17:
An you athoot the harns ti read an write
or speik ti lick-ma-dowps that beck an bou -
deaved wi the fletherin tales ye hear thaim tell.

II. n. Gen. in pl.: flattery, fair words (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.) Also in n.Eng. dial.Dmf. 1821 H. Duncan Young S. Country Weaver 98:
Do you think to beguile me, wi' your fleeching and your flethers, to do the devil's wark?Gsw. 1868 J. Young Poems 139:
This, Tammie, is nae fleechin' flether.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xiv.:
I thocht . . . he had sickened ye aince for a' wi' his fleechin an' flethers.