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'Feign-nites' (Sp) ?

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derekpara | 20:01 Mon 06th Feb 2012 | Phrases & Sayings
16 Answers
When we were kids, if we wanted a truce in the middle of a game we would cross fingers and cry ' 'Feign-nites'. Not sure of the spelling, but that's how it sounded. Any idea of its origin ?

Cheers.

D
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We used to say Feign, and then tick-tack feign, whilst crossing little fingers, no idea why!
Oh I remember the phrase well, it helped prevent getting thumped in the playground...until secondary school came along that is. At Brighton schools we pronounced it more like fay-nits...but I've still no idea of it's origin so will be equally interested to learn more.
It’s a form of fend, which at one time had a meaning of “to forbid”. - http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-fai1.htm
last paragraph but one, the Opies take on it
http://www.phrases.or.../48/messages/885.html
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Well done, JJ & Woofgang. Now we know !

Thanks.

D
We put our thumbs up and said 'keys'. Wonder where that came from...
Cassell's Dict of Slang has

fains; fains I; fain I; fainits

all meaning a call for a truce. Dates from mid-19C. Derivation as given already.
We clenched both hands into fists and said "chaps".
In the Midlands it was Pax
It was 'no returns' in Guernsey
pax here in hampshire too
We used to say "ballies" but I've not heard it since my primary school days
Must be something that is different to each area. We always called 'crees' and crossed fingers on both hands.
I so now vaguely remember FEIGNIS
(Should say "I do now vaguely remember FEIGNIS")
We called 'cree', and I've never even considered it's meaning or origin until now.

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