fains

fains

A child fains from playing goalkeeper during a schoolyard game.

Definition

  1. Interjection:

    • A request to be exempted: "fains" is used, primarily in children's games, to declare that one does not wish to participate or to claim exemption from a task, often accompanied by crossing one's fingers.
    • A call for a truce or pause: It can signal a temporary stop or a desire to be excused from an activity.

  2. Verb (rare, archaic):

    • To desire or be willing: In older usage, "fain" (the base form) means to be glad or willing to do something, but "fains" as a verb form is extremely rare.
Usage Examples

  • Interjection:

    • "Fains I don't have to be the goalkeeper!" (A child's plea to be exempted from playing in goal.)
    • He shouted "fains!" and crossed his fingers to avoid doing the chores. (He used the word to claim exemption from the task.)

  • Verb (archaic):

    • He would fains accept the offer. (He would gladly accept the offer — note this usage is obsolete and rarely seen.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Fains" is almost exclusively used in British and Australian children's slang, often in the phrase "fains I" meaning "I claim exemption" or "I refuse."

    • "Fains I be the monster!" (I refuse to be the monster in the game.)

  • The word is sometimes spelled "fain" or "fains" interchangeably, though "fains" is more common in the interjection form.

Variants and Related Words

  • Fain (adj/adv): willing or glad; gladly.

    • She was fain to help. (Archaic: She was willing to help.)
    • He would fain go home. (Archaic: He would gladly go home.)

  • Fains is the only common variant used as an interjection; no other related words are in modern use.

Synonyms
  • Exempt me: a phrase used to request exemption.
  • No thanks: a polite refusal.
  • I pass: a declaration of non-participation.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None. "Fains" is not used in phrasal verb constructions.
Related Idioms

  • "Fains I": a fixed expression meaning "I claim exemption" or "I refuse."

    • "Fains I do the dishes!" (I refuse to do the dishes.)

  • "To cry fains": to call for exemption or a truce in a game.

    • He cried fains when he was about to be tagged. (He called for a break or exemption.)