Fairies Hate To Be Called Fairies

2024-08-06

Never speak ill of the deil ” is a proverbial maxim , for mortal man never knew when his Satanic majesty might be within earshot . The invisible and alert fairies for the same reason were always mentioned with a honeyed tongue . The wily , knowing not where they might be lurking , were careful to call them “ the good neighbours , ” “ the honest folk , ” “ the little folk , ” ” the gentry , ” ” “ the hill folk , ” and ” the forgetful people , ” the ” men of peace . ‘ Klippe is the Forfarshire name for a fairy .

Folk Lore in Lowland Scotland by Evelyn Blantyre Simpson (1908)

Alright, so, all this time I have been calling them “fairies,” and there are other names as well that they are often called. For example: Fae, Daoine Sìth, Aes sìth, Sídhe, Aos Sidhe, and more.

So, which of those do they like to be called? None, apparently! According to folklore, terms like “fairy” is like a slur, and if you are overheard saying it, the listener may take offence. This is why those a little more superstitious are often heard calling them other things.

The name of fairy was not pleasing to them, and men spoke of them as “the fair folk,” or “the gueede neebours.

Folklore of the North East of Scotland by Walter Gregor (1881)

For example: The Good People, The Fair Folk, The Good Neighbours, The People of Peace, and so on. These terms were seen as a less dangerous way to refer to a fairy.

Keep in mind that most fairies are said to be invisible, so people were always scared about who might be listening.

The Scottish Fairies, in like manner, sometimes reside in subterranean abodes, in the vicinity of human habitations, or, according to the popular phrase, under the “ door-stane,” or threshold; in which situation they sometimes establish an intercourse with men, by borrowing and lending, and other kindly offices. In this capacity they are termed “the good neighbours,” from supplying privately the wants of their friends, and assisting them in all their transactions, while their favours are concealed. Of this the traditionary story of Sir Godfrey Macculloch forms a curious example.

Scottish Folk and Fairy and Folk Tales by Sir Walter Scott (1893)