Dictionary

facety en · ADJ

Etymology

Apparently an alteration of facey (although it is attested slightly later) with epenthetic t; perhaps compare -ety, feisty, or Sranan Tongo fiésti (“dirty, nasty”) (19th century).

Meanings

1. (Caribbean, Jamaica) Playfully rude; feisty.
   • My teachers, in the main, thought this was good, but in my parents' opinion I was just simply “facety,” or in plain English, rude or impertinent. Well, the discovery came about as a result of my being “facety” to Mavis. 2012, Claudette Beckford-Brady, Sweet Home, Jamaica, page 2:
   • An’ here I am. Your dream problem child. A facety ghetto rude gyal grateful for your remarkable lack of judgeyness, an’ ready to be dazzled and inspired by your penetrating insight. 2022, Tom Wright, “Scene Two: Classroom”, in I Ain’t Dumb (Modern Plays), London; New York, N.Y.; Dublin: Methuen Drama, →ISBN, page 12:

Forms