I am inclined to think that the "fauk" is actually "faux" meaning
"false."
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 25, 2008, at 3:39 PM, Tom Gilmore <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Sorry, I thought I had sent the entire sentence, but I recently
> started
> using gmail.com, and frankly, it's confusing me. Anyway, here is
> the entire
> letter, which was written in Georgia on a small piece of paper,
> folded over
> and used as an envelope. It was addressed to siblings in N.O.,
> where the
> family --originally from TN-- had moved a few years prior to the
> Civil
> War. The letterwriter died of cannonball wounds suffered near Atlanta.
> Note: I would prefer to keep the names private and hope you will
> forgive
> me, as this is not my own family.
>
> Dear * Siblings,*
> Your letter found me well but with little time
> for myself. I'm sorry for not writing to
> you sooner. But I hope to be with you someday
> soon if the fauksokutters do not get in; there are
> plenty of them some 50 miles from us.
> Your affectionate brother,
> *xyz*
>
> After all the help and suggestions I've received on this list,
> I, too,
> am inclined to think the word *fauksokutters *was 1) written as
> phonetically sounding to someone who may have been a bit familiar with
> French, but not proficient; 2) was based on the French word
> *faucheuse, a*nd
> 3) might have been slang in use at the time.
>
> Found online:
> ***faucheuse*
> *Cajun French * lawn
> mower<http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/lawn+mower>
> *
> French*** mower<http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/mower
> >.
> *cutting machine*. *reaper* *** idioms:* grim reaper la
> Faucheuse
>
>
> Thanks, everyone. I can't believe how helpful you've all been.
>
> --Tom
>
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