Pisky
/ˈpɪs.ki/noun
A fairy or mischievous supernatural being, especially in Cornish and southwestern English folklore.
Did you know?Cornish folklore describes piskies as elusive spirits associated with wild places, mischief, and the danger of becoming “pixy-led,” or mysteriously lost.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval period
Cornish
pisky/piskey
“A fairy or supernatural being; the precise earlier root is uncertain.”
16th–17th Century
Southwestern English dialects
pisky/pixy
“A fairy-like creature, especially one believed to cause mischief or bewilder travelers.”
17th Century
English
pixy-led
“Led astray or confused by a pixy or fairy.”
Modern English
English
pisky
“A regional or folkloric variant of pixie, particularly associated with Cornwall and southwest England.”