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 > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the > instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html