Feyling

A feyling (also sometimes spelled faeling or feiling) is an archaic or dialectal word, primarily of Scottish and Northumbrian origin, denoting a weakling, a person of little strength or vigor, or one who is ailing or sickly. The term often carries a connotation of being frail or delicate, suggesting physical or mental infirmity.

Beyond simple physical weakness, feyling can also imply a lack of mental fortitude or a general susceptibility to illness or negative influences. The word is often used in a disparaging or dismissive manner, though it can also be used with a tone of pity or endearment, particularly when applied to a child.

The etymology of feyling is uncertain, but it is likely related to the word "fey," which in Scots and some Northern English dialects refers to someone who is acting strangely, often in a way that seems premonitory or touched by the supernatural. While not directly synonymous, the link suggests an association with vulnerability or an otherworldliness that sets the feyling apart from the robust and healthy.

The usage of feyling is largely confined to historical texts, regional dialects, and literary works seeking to evoke a sense of place and time. It is rarely encountered in contemporary standard English.