Stales

I have never heard 'vallet' (and I'm a Brit who has lived in UK, US, Canada and Oz..)

Pronunciation of the word 'fillet' may be relevant: I grew up with and had only ever heard 'fillit' until I went to North America, where I came across 'fillay'. Have remembered and puzzled over this ever since, as usually BritEng is close to French (spelling or pronunciation) than NamEng.

'Varlet' is, of course, an entirely different word, sadly underused these days...