1893 text
Foy. A feast given by one who is about to leave a place. In Kent, according to Grose, a treat to friends, either at going abroad or coming home. See Diary, November 25th, 1661.
Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
Foy. A feast given by one who is about to leave a place. In Kent, according to Grose, a treat to friends, either at going abroad or coming home. See Diary, November 25th, 1661.
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Wim van der Meij Link to this
Warrington got it from Halliwell's Dictionary and calls it a merrymaking given at someone's parting
language hat Link to this
The OED says it's from Dutch fooi (earlier foye, voye), probably from French voie 'way, journey.'
dirk Link to this
The Dutch Etymological Dictionary confirms this etymology, adding a further link to Latin "via". "Fooi" in Dutch originally meant "farewell present". The present meaning is "tip".
in Aqua Scripto Link to this
LH, my little old Webster's D concurs, adding Via, Latin for way or road [out of 'ere] used by the Scots to celebrate the end of harvest.