Phil's Fine Fettling

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <v03110702b0fd47919de1@[206.106.147.12]> Phil and Judy Rose writes:

> Here in Dodge City, some of us older folk might use "fettle" as a noun (as
> in "fine fettle"?) Never heard it used as a verb. How _does_ one "fettle"
> one's Audi? Do you need a 17 mm fettle wrench? ;-)

I checked in the OED.  "Fettle" is indeed listed as a verb - meaning to trim or 
smooth the rough edges of, e.g., a pot before firing.  It's apparently derived 
from an old word for "girdle".

-- 
 Phil Payne
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club