fainaigue

English

Etymology

Unknown Britishism, of uncertain origin.

Perhaps from fain, homonym of feign (“to pretend”) and ague (“acute illness”) or cognate French aigüe (as in maladie aiguë, “acute illness”) – literally “to act sick”.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪɡ

Verb

1. (intransitive) To evade work or shirk responsibility.
2. (intransitive) To renege in card games.

Derived terms

• fainaiguer
• finagle