*flaihaz

From earlier *þlaihaz, of uncertain origin, but likely derived from *flaihaną (‘to comfort, entreat; to fondle, caress’). Reflexes of *flaihaną, such as Dutch vleien (‘insincere or exaggerated kindness, deception, deceit’ alongside ‘flattery’) (Philippa, et al. 2003–2009) and West Frisian flaaie, (‘to be excessively affectionate or friendly towards someone in order to gain favor’) (Duijff et al. 2008) could easily lead to the sense of ‘false’ or ‘insidious’ in this term.