Sc. and north. dial. [f. FASH v.1] Trouble, vexation; bother, inconvenience; also, something that gives trouble. To take (the) fash: to take (the) trouble, to be at the pains.
1794. Burns, Address to the Toothache, iv.
| Of a’ … The tricks o’ knaves, or fash o’ fools, | |
| Thou bear’st the gree. |
1808. Eliz. Hamilton, Cottagers of Glenburnie (ed. 2), 150. We have never ta’en the fash to put it by.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., iv. ‘Clergy and captains can gie an unco deal o’ fash in thae times.’
1832–53. Whistle-Binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. III. 111.
| I ne’er was inclined to lay by ony cash, | |
| Weel kennin’ it [cash] only wad breed me mair fash. |
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., Fash, trouble, inconvenience.
1861. Ramsay, Remin., Ser. II. 175. Tam, that’s just the way wi’ you when there’s ony fash or trouble. The deevil a thing you’ll do at a’.
1868. G. Macdonald, R. Falconer, II. 252. ‘I tellt him ’at hoo I didna think ye wad hae ta’en sae muckle fash gin ye hadna had some houps o’ the kin’ aboot him.’
