Obs. exc. Sc. and dial. Forms: 6–7 feckins, 6–8 fackins, 7–8 faikine, 8 feggings, 9 faikins, 7 fac, feck, 7–9 facks, 8–9 fags, 9 faags, faiks, feck(s, faix, 8– fegs. [The forms here collected are distortions of FAY sb.1, FAITH, perh. with suffix -KIN(S, frequent in such trivial quasi-oaths; cf. bodykins, by’rlakin.]
1. As an (unmeaning) sb. in exclamatory phrases expressing asseveration or astonishment. See also I’FEGS.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., I. iii. By my fackins.
1600. Heywood, 1 Edw. I., III. i. No, by my feckins!
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., I. ii. How! Sweare by your fac?
a. 1627. Mlddleton, Quiet Life, II. ii. By my facks, sir.
16[?]. Robin Hood & Q. Kath., 90, in Furniv., Percy Folio, I. 43. By faikine of my body.
a. 1654. Webster & Rowley, Cure for Cuckold, IV. iii. By my feck.
1726. Vanbrugh, Journ. Lond., III. i. No, by good feggings.
1768. Beattie, To Mr. A. Ross, v. O’ my fegs.
1880. Jamieson, s.v. My faiks!
1884. Holland, Chester Gloss., Good Fecks!
2. As simple asseverative.
1638. Brome, Antipodes, V. iv. Wks. 1873, III. 322. Bla. Nay facks I am not jealous.
1790. A. Wilson, To W. Mitchell, Poet. Wks. (1846), 113. Fegs.
1804. R. Anderson, Cumbrld. Ball., 104. Sae faikins we mun hev a sweat.
1863. Tyneside Songs, 86. Faix they’ve got a warnin’.
1875. Parish, Sussex Gloss., s.v. ‘Why! you are smart, fegs!’
1891. Barrie, Little Minister, II. 191. Na, faags! it was waur than that.
