Chapter VIII: Part 8

~Fag~, a schoolboy who performs a servant’s offices to a superior schoolmate. From FAG, to become weary or tired out. _Low German_, FAKK, wearied.

~Fag~, to beat.

~Faggot~, a bundle of bits of the “stickings” (hence probably its name) sold for food to the London poor. It is sometimes called a duck. In appearance it resembles a Scotch “haggis,” without, however, being nearly so good as that fragrant article. Probably the FAG-END of a thing, the inferior or remaining part, the refuse.

~Faggot~, a term of opprobrium used by low people to children and women; “you little FAGGOT, you!” FAGGOT was originally a term of contempt for a dry shrivelled old woman, whose bones were like a bundle of sticks, only fit to burn.—Compare the French expression for a heretic, _sentir le fagot_.

~Faggot briefs~, bundles of worthless papers tied up with red tape, carried by unemployed barristers in the back rows of the courts to simulate briefs.

~Faggot vote~, a phrase which belongs to the slang of politics, and which was applied to a class of votes, by no means extinct even now, though not so common as in the days preceding the first Reform Bill, when constituencies were smaller, and individual votes were consequently more valuable. FAGGOT VOTES were thus created:—A large landowner who was blessed with, say, seven sons and seven brothers, and had also on his estate fourteen labourers’ cottages worth about a shilling a week each, would go through the form of sale of one cottage to each son and each brother, it being perfectly understood that the title-deeds would be returned when the occasion for their use was at an end. And thus the squire would command fifteen votes instead of one. In a famous election for the West Riding of Yorkshire during the third decade of the present century, which cost upwards of half a million sterling, and ruined the successful candidate, it was said that six hundred FAGGOT VOTES were created by three noble lords. The origin of the term has been variously explained. One ingenious writer has suggested that as a FAGGOT may be split into a bundle of sticks, so was one estate thus split into a bundle of votes. It is, however, more reasonable to suppose that it was derived from the old word “FAGGOT,” which was used to describe a “nominal soldier,” one, that is, whose name appeared on the muster-roll, and for whom the colonel drew pay, but who was never to be found in the ranks. The connexion is evident enough.

~Fake~, in the sporting world, means to hocus or poison. Fake is also a mixture supposed to be used for purposes of “making safe.”

~Fake~, to cheat, or swindle; to do anything; to go on, or continue; to make or construct; to steal or rob,—a verb variously used. FAKED, done, or done for; “FAKE away, there’s no down;” go on, there is nobody looking. From the _Latin_ FACERE.

~Fakement~, a false begging petition, any act of robbery, swindling, or deception. FAKEMENT is a word of most general application among the lower classes. Any things strange, and most things not strange, are called FAKEMENTS, particularly if there is anything peculiar or artistic in their production.

~Fakement Charley~, the owner’s private mark. FAKER, is one who makes or FAKES anything. To “fake a cly,” is to pick a pocket.

~Fal-lals~, trumpery ornaments, gewgaws. Forby suggests as a derivation the _Latin_ PHALERÆ, horse trappings.

~Fambles~, or FAMMS, the hands.—_Ancient Cant._ _German_, FANGEN.

~Family men~, or PEOPLE, thieves, or burglars.

~Fan~, a waistcoat.—_Houndsditch term._

~Fancy~, the favourite sports, pets, or pastime of a person, the ton of low life. Pugilists are sometimes termed the FANCY. Shakspeare uses the word in the sense of a favourite or pet; and the paramour of a prostitute is still called her FANCY MAN.

~Fancy bloak~, a fancy or sporting man.

~Fanning~, a beating. FANNING is also stealing; CROSS-FANNING is stealing with the arms crossed so as to distract attention, as in stealing breast-pins, &c.

~Fanqui~, a European, literally foreign devil.—_Anglo-Chinese._

~Fantail~, a dustman’s or coalheaver’s hat. So called from the shape.

~Farm~, to contract, after the manner of those who engage to feed and lodge children belonging to the parish, at so much a head; a fruitful cause of starvation and misery. _See Oliver Twist._ The baby farmings, unconnected with the parishes in which they occurred, which ultimately resulted in the trial and execution of Margaret Waters, on the 11th October, 1870, have caused the word FARM as applied to any dealings with children, parish or private, to be one of obloquy and reproach.

~Farmer.~ In Suffolk this term is applied to the eldest son of the occupier of the farm. In London it is used derisively of a countryman, and denotes a farm-labourer or clodpole. Both senses are different from the proper meaning.

~Fast~, gay, spreeish, unsteady, thoughtless,—an Americanism that has of late ascended from the streets to the drawing-room. The word has certainly now a distinct meaning, which it had not thirty years ago. QUICK is the synonym for FAST, but a QUICK MAN would not convey the meaning of a FAST MAN,—a person who, by late hours, gaiety, and continual rounds of pleasure, lives too fast, and wears himself out. In polite society a FAST young lady is one who affects mannish habits, or makes herself conspicuous by some unfeminine accomplishment,—talks slang, drives about in London, smokes cigarettes, is knowing in dogs, horses, &c. An amusing anecdote is told of a fast young lady, the daughter of a right reverend prelate, who was an adept in horseflesh. Being desirous of ascertaining the opinion of a candidate for ordination, who had the look of a bird of the same feather, as to the merits of some cattle just brought to her father’s palace for her to select from, she was assured by him they were utterly unfit for a lady’s use. With a knowing look at the horses’ points, she gave her decision in these choice words, “Well, I agree with you; they _are_ a rum lot, as the devil said of the ten commandments.” Charles Dickens once said that “fast,” when applied to a young man, was only another word for loose, as he understood the term; and a fast girl has been defined as a woman who has lost her respect for men, and for whom men have lost their respect.

~Fast~, embarrassed, wanting money, tied up. Sometimes synonymous with “hard up.”—_Yorkshire._

~Fast and loose~, to play FAST AND LOOSE with a man, is to treat him as a fast friend in the days while he is useful, and to cast him loose when he is no longer necessary; also, to equivocate or vacillate. In old days it was the name of a vulgar pastime. _See_ PRICK THE GARTER.

~Fat~, a printer’s term signifying the void spaces on a page, for which he is paid at the same rate as for full or unbroken pages. Occasionally called “grease,” and applied variously, but always as showing some undue or uncommon amount of advantage.

~Fat~, rich, abundant, &c.; “a FAT lot;” “to cut it FAT,” to exaggerate, to show off in an extensive or grand manner, to assume undue importance; “cut up FAT,” see under CUT. As a theatrical term, a part with plenty of FAT in it is one which affords the actor an opportunity of effective display.

~Father~, or FENCE, a buyer of stolen property.

~Favourite~, the horse that has the lowest odds laid against it in the betting list. When the FAVOURITE wins, the public or backers of horses generally are the gainers. When an outsider wins, the ring, that is to say, the persons who make a business of laying against the chances of horses, are the gainers.

~Fawney~, a finger ring. _Irish_, FAINEE, a ring.

~Fawney bouncing~, selling rings for a pretended wager. This practice is founded upon the old tale of a gentleman laying a wager that if he were to offer “real gold sovereigns” at a penny a-piece at the foot of London Bridge, the English public would be too incredulous to buy. The story states that the gentleman stationed himself with sovereigns on a tea-tray, and sold only two within the hour, thus winning the bet. This tale the FAWNEY BOUNCERS tell the public, only offering brass, double-gilt rings, instead of sovereigns.

~Fawney rig~, the ring-dropping trick. A few years ago this practice was very common. A fellow purposely dropped a ring, or a pocket-book with some little articles of jewellery, &c., in it, and when he saw any person pick it up, ran to claim half. The ring found, the question of how the booty was to be divided had then to be decided. The sharper says, “If you will give me eight or nine shillings for my share, the things are yours.” This the “flat” thinks very fair. The ring of course is valueless, and the swallower of the bait discovers the trick too late. For another way of doing this trick, _see_ RING-DROPPING.

~Feathers~, money, wealth; “in full FEATHER,” rich. FEATHERS is also a term applied to dress; “in full FEATHER,” means very often in full costume. It also means, at times, in high spirits.

~Feed~, a meal, generally a dinner. Originally stable slang, now pretty general.

~Feele~, a daughter, or child.—Corrupted _French_.

~Fellow-commoner~, uncomplimentary epithet used at Cambridge for an empty bottle.

~Felt~, a hat.—_Old term_, in use in the sixteenth century.

~Fence~, a purchaser or receiver of stolen goods; also, the shop or warehouse of a FENCER.—_Old Cant._

~Fen-nightingales~, toads and frogs, from their continued croaking at night.

~Feringee~, a European—that is, a Frank.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Ferricadouzer~, a knock-down blow, a good thrashing. Probably derived, through the _Lingua Franca_, from the _Italian_, “far’ cader’ douser,” to knock down. “Far’ cader’ morto,” is to knock down dead.

~Few~, used to signify the reverse, thus:—“Don’t you call this considerably jolly?” “I believe you, my bo-o-oy, A FEW.” Sometimes the reply is, “just a FEW.” Another expression of the same kind is RATHER, which _see_.

~Fib~, to beat or strike.—_Old Cant._

~Fib~, to lie, to romance.

~Fibbing~, a series of blows delivered quickly, and at a short distance.—_Pugilistic._

~Fiddle~, a sharper, “a street mugger.” In America, a swindle or an imposture.

~Fiddle~, “to play second FIDDLE,” to act subordinately, or follow the lead of another. From the orchestral practice.

~Fiddle-face~, a person with a wizened countenance.

~Fiddle-faddle~, twaddle, or trifling discourse.—_Old Cant._

~Fiddler~, a sharper, a cheat; also a careless, negligent, or dilatory person. On board some ocean steamers the FIDDLER is the capstan-house, the only place on board where passengers are permitted to smoke. The term FIDDLER is easily traceable to the fact that, while the seamen are working the capstan-bars, a man sometimes plays on the fiddle to cheer them at their toil.

~Fiddler~, a sixpence. Fiddler’s money is small money; generally from the old custom of each couple at a dance paying the fiddler sixpence.

~Fiddler~, or FADGE, a farthing.

~Fiddlers’ green~, the place where sailors expect to go when they die. It is a place of fiddling, dancing, rum, and tobacco, and is undoubtedly the “Land of Cocaigne,” mentioned in mediæval manuscripts. A story is told of a drunken sailor who heard a street preacher threatening all listeners with eternal damnation, and who went up and asked where he (the sailor) was going after death. “To hell, of course,” replied the preacher. “No, you lubberly son of a sea-cook!” shouted the seaman, knocking the itinerant down; “I’m going to FIDDLER’S GREEN; and if you say I’m not, I’ll throttle you.” Under compulsion, the preacher admitted the existence of FIDDLER’S GREEN, _pro tempore_.

~Fiddles~, transverse pieces of wood used on shipboard to protect the dishes at table during stormy weather. Swing tables obviate the use of FIDDLES.

~Fiddle-sticks!~ an exclamation signifying nonsense. Sometimes “Fiddle-de-dee.”

~Fiddling~, doing any odd jobs in the streets, holding horses, carrying parcels, &c., for a living. Among the middle classes, FIDDLING means idling away time, or trifling, and amongst sharpers it means gambling.

~Fid-fad~, a game similar to chequers, or drafts, played in the West of England.

~Field~, the whole of the runners in a race of any kind. “A FIELD of fourteen runners was placed in care of the starter.” In betting phraseology the FIELD represents the bulk of the horses, as opposed to the favourite. “The FIELD for a pony,” means that the offerer will lay 25_l._ against the favourite, preferring the chances of a winner turning up amongst the others. “Ten to one on the FIELD,” means that the price named can be obtained about any horse in the race, that being the lowest figure or favourite’s price. Laying against favourites is called FIELDING, and bookmakers are often known as FIELDERS.

~Field~, “to look out,” at cricket. In the outings of an eleven the FIELDERS are those who stand away from the wickets with a view to checking the progress of the ball. FIELDING is a great essential to cricket, and to be “a good FIELD” is no slight honour. Also to lay against favourites in the betting.

~Field-lane duck~, a baked sheep’s head. Field Lane was a low London thoroughfare leading from the foot of Holborn Hill to the purlieus of Clerkenwell. It was formerly the market for stolen pocket-handkerchiefs. Holborn Viaduct improved all but a small portion of Field Lane off the face of the earth. There is but the smallest vestige of this famous (or infamous) thoroughfare left. The neighbourhood has received an upheaval within the past few years, and from one end the pedestrian must descend to the remains of Field Lane by means of a flight of steps.

~Fieri-facias.~ A red-faced man is often jocularly said to have been served with a writ of FIERI-FACIAS.

~Fi-fa~, a writ of Fieri-Facias.—_Legal._

~Fi-fi~, Thackeray’s term for Paul de Kock’s novels, and similar modern French literature.

~Fig~, “in full FIG,” _i.e._, full-dress costume, “extensively got up.” Possibly an allusion to the dress assumed by our first parents after they were naked and not ashamed, or else an abbreviation of figure, in the references to plates in books of fashions.

~Fig~, “to FIG a horse,” to play improper tricks with one in order to make him lively. The FIG is a piece of wet ginger placed under a horse’s tail for the purpose of making him appear lively, and enhance his price.

~Figaro~, a barber; from _Le Nozze di Figaro_.

~Fig-leaf~, a small apron worn by ladies.

~Figure~, “to cut a good or bad FIGURE,” to make good or indifferent appearance; “what’s the FIGURE?” how much is to pay? FIGURE-HEAD, a person’s face.—_Sea term._

~Filch~, to steal, or purloin. Originally a cant word, derived from the FILCHES, or hooks, thieves used to carry, to hook clothes, or any portable articles from open windows.—_Vide_ Decker. It was considered a cant or gipsy term up to the beginning of the last century. Harman has “FYLCHE, to robbe.” Probably from “FILICHI,” Romany for a handkerchief.

~File~, a deep or artful man, a jocose name for a cunning person. Originally a term for a pickpocket, when to FILE was to cheat or rob. FILE, an artful man, was used in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. To deal with an artful man is sometimes said to be like biting a FILE.

~Filibuster~, an American adventurer, who, if successful, helps to extend the boundaries of the United States, becomes a General, and receives high honours, but who remains a FILIBUSTER, and is despised as such, if he fails. The Texan, Nicaraguan, and kindred expeditions were of a FILIBUSTERING order.

~Fillibrush~, to flatter, praise ironically.

~Fimble-famble~, a lame, prevaricating excuse.—_Scandinavian._

~Fin~, a hand; “come, tip us your FIN,” viz., let us shake hands.—_Sea._

~Finder~, one who FINDS bacon and meat at the market before they are lost, _i.e._, steals them.

~Finnuf~, a five-pound note. DOUBLE FINNUF, a ten-pound note.—_German_, FUNF, five.

~Fire-eater~, a quarrelsome man, a braggadocio or turbulent person who is always ready to fight.

~Firkytoodle~, to cuddle or fondle.

~First flight~, the first lot to finish in a foot or horse race, in a fox hunt, &c.

~Fish~, a person; “a queer FISH,” “a loose FISH.” Term never used except in doubtful cases, as those quoted.

~Fishfag~, originally a Billingsgate fishwife; now any scolding, vixenish, foul-mouthed woman.

~Fishy~, doubtful, unsound, rotten; used to denote a suspicion of a “screw being loose,” or “something rotten in the state of Denmark,” in referring to any proposed speculation.

~Fit~, an Americanism denoting the preterite of the verb to fight. A Yankee once came upon the words _nihil fit_, and he immediately wrote off to the editor of the paper to which he subscribed to know “Who was Nihil, who he fit, what amount he fit for, and if he won.”

~Five fingers~, the five of trumps, at the game of Five-cards, or Don.

~Fives~, “bunch of FIVES,” the fist.

~Fix~, a predicament, or dilemma; “an awful FIX,” a terrible position; “to FIX one’s flint for him,” _i.e._, to “settle his hash,” to “put a spoke in his wheel.”

~Fixings~, an Americanism, equivalent to our word “trimmings,” which _see_.

~Fiz~, champagne; any sparkling wine.

~Fizzing~, first-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous with “stunning.”

~Flabbergast~, or FLABBERGHAST, to astonish, or strike with wonder; literally, to strike aghast.—_Old._

~Flag~, a groat, or 4_d._—_Ancient Cant._

~Flag~, an apron. People who wear their aprons when not at work, are called “flag-flashers.”

~Flag of distress~, any overt sign of poverty; the end of a person’s shirt when it protrudes through his trousers.

~Flam~, nonsense, blarney, a lie, humbug. “A regular FLAM,” a tale devoid of truth.

~Flame~, a sweetheart.

~Flannel~, or HOT FLANNEL, the old term for gin and beer, drunk hot, with nutmeg, sugar, &c.; a play on the old name “lambswool.” Also called “flip.” There is an anecdote told of Goldsmith helping to drink a quart of FLANNEL in a night-house, in company with George Parker, Ned Shuter, and a demure, grave-looking gentleman, who continually introduced the words “crap,” “stretch,” “scrag,” and “swing.” Upon the Doctor asking who this strange person might be, and being told his profession, he rushed from the place in a frenzy, exclaiming, “Good God! and have I been sitting all this while with a hangman!”

~Flap~, lead used for the coverings of roofs.

~Flapper~, or FLIPPER, the hand.

~Flare up~, a jovial social gathering, a “breakdown,” a “row.”

~Flash~, showy, smart, knowing; a word with various meanings. A person is said to be dressed FLASH when his garb is showy, and after a fashion, but without taste. A person is said to be FLASH when he apes the appearance or manners of his betters, or when he is trying to be superior to his friends and relations. FLASH also means “fast,” roguish, and sometimes infers counterfeit or deceptive—and this, perhaps, is its general signification. As it is used by those who best understand it nowadays, the word means that which is not what it appears to be—anything spurious, as jewellery and shoddy clothes. “FLASH, my young friend, or slang, as others call it, is the classical language of the Holy Land; in other words, St. Giles’s Greek.”—_Tom and Jerry_, by Moncreiff. Vulgar language was first termed FLASH in the year 1718, by Hitchin, author of “_The Regulator of Thieves, &c., with account of flash words_.” “FLASH” is sometimes exchangeable with “fancy.”

“My FLASH man’s in quod,
And I’m the gal that’s willin,
So I’ll turn out to-night,
And earn an honest shillin’.

“Tooral, looral la,
What are wealth’s possessions?
Bless the man we love,
And blow the b---- Sessions.”—_Lyra Flagitiosa._

~Flash it~, show it—said when any bargain is offered.

~Flash o’ lightning~, the gold band on an officer’s cap.—_Sea._ Also in street slang, a glass of gin.

~Flat~, a fool, a silly or “soft” person; the opposite of “sharp.” The terms appear to be shortenings for “sharp-witted” and “flat-witted.” Or, maybe, from musical notes.

~Flat-feet~, the battalion companies in the Foot Guards.

~Flats~, playing cards; sometimes called “broads.” Also the storeys of large houses, built on the “independent” principle, each flat having its separate and peculiar offices, street-door, &c.

~Flatty~, a rustic, or uninitiated person.

~Flatty-ken~, a public-house the landlord of which is ignorant of the practices of the thieves and tramps who frequent it.

~Flay the fox~, to vomit. Now replaced by the more popular “shoot the cat.”

~Flemish account.~—_Old._ Still used by sailors for a tangled and unsatisfactory account or reckoning.

~Flesh and blood~, brandy and port in equal quantities.

~Flesh bag~, a shirt. American humourists call a white shirt a “clean biled rag.” In the mining camps, and rough parts generally, a white shirt is called a “biled shirt” to distinguish it from the usual woollen garment, which cannot be boiled.

~Flick~, or OLD FLICK, a comical old chap or fellow. Term of endearment among low people.

~Flick~, or FLIG, to whip by striking, and drawing the lash back at the same time, which causes a stinging blow. A flicking is often administered by schoolboys with a damp towel or pocket-handkerchief.

~Flies~, trickery, nonsense. “There are no FLIES about me, sir.” Softening of lies.

~Flim-flamn~, idle story.—_Beaumont and Fletcher._

~Flimp~, to hustle, or rob.

~Flimsy~, a bank-note. Bank of Elegance notes are sometimes called soft flimsies. In this particular case two good terms make a bad one, as both “soft” and “flimsies” used separately refer to good notes.

~Flimsy~, the thin prepared copying-paper used by newspaper reporters and “penny-a-liners” for making several copies at once, which enables them to supply different papers with the same article without loss of time.

~Flint~, an operative who works for a “society” master, _i.e._, for full wages.

~Flip~, corruption of FILLIP, a light blow. Also a hot drink. _See_ FLANNEL.

~Flip-flap~, a peculiar rollicking dance indulged in by costermongers when merry or excited—better described, perhaps, as the “double-shuffle” danced with an air of extreme _abandon_. Also, a kind of somersault, in which the performer throws himself over on his hands and feet alternately.

~Flipper~, the hand; “give us your FLIPPER,” give me your hand.—_Sea._ Metaphor taken from the flipper or paddle of a turtle.

~Floater~, a small suet dumpling put into soup.—_Whitechapel._

~Floating academy~, the hulks.

~Flog~, to whip. Cited both by Grose and the author of _Bacchus and Venus_ as a cant word. Many efforts have been made to ascertain the earliest use; Richardson cites Lord Chesterfield. From _Flagellum_. “Flawged,” for whipped, occurs in “The Presbyterian Lash, or Nockhoff’s Maid Whipt,” published in 1663. Nockhoff was the anagram for the name of the Rev. Zachary Crofton, who had scandalized the town by subjecting his servant-maid to the discipline of the nursery. There is a good story on the proper orthography of the convertible term for castigation related in a newspaper of 1841. A county magistrate, who had sentenced a boy to be birched, wrote in his warrant that the boy was to be “floged.” The scrupulous gaoler hesitated to inflict the punishment, and sent back the warrant to the justice for amendment, who thereupon drew his pen through “floged,” and ordered the boy to be “wiped.”

~Flogger~, a whip.—_Almost obsolete._ FLOGGER is still the term applied to a number of strips of cloth attached to a handle, and used in theatrical painting rooms to beat off the dust of the charcoal used in sketching a scene.

~Flogster~, one addicted to flogging. William IV., who was accused of unduly and excessively punishing the sailors whom he commanded when in the navy, was nicknamed in the newspapers “Prince William Henry FLOGSTER.”

~Floor~, to knock down.—_Pugilistic._

~Floored~, when a picture is hung on the lowest row at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy, it is, in artistic slang, said to be FLOORED, in contradistinction to “skyed,” which _see_.

~Floorer~, a blow sufficiently strong to knock a man down, or bring him to the floor. Often used in reference to sudden and unpleasant news.

~Flop~, to plump; “to go FLOP down,” to fall suddenly, with violence and noise.

~Flowery~, lodging, or house entertainment; “square the omee for the FLOWERY,” pay the master for the lodging.—_Lingua Franca._

~Flue-faker~, a chimney-sweep.

~Fluff it~, a term of disapprobation, implying “take it away, I don’t want it.”

~Fluff~, railway ticket clerks’ slang for short change given by them. The profits thus accruing are called “fluffings,” and the practice is known as “fluffing.”

~Fluke~, at billiards, playing for one thing and getting another. Hence, generally what one gets accidentally, as an unexpected advantage, “more by luck than judgment.”

~Flummery~, flattery, gammon, genteel nonsense. In American ships a peculiar kind of light sweet pudding.

~Flummux~, to perplex or hinder.

~Flummuxed~, done up, sure of a month in quod, or prison. In mendicant freemasonry, the sign chalked by rogues and tramps upon a gate-post or house corner, to express to succeeding vagabonds that it is unsafe for them to call there, is known as ⦿, or FLUMMUXED, which signifies that the only thing they would be likely to get upon applying for relief would be a “month in quod.”—_See_ QUOD.

~Flunkey~, a footman or other man-servant.

~Flunkeyism~, blind worship of rank, birth, or riches, or of all three; toadyism.

~Flush~, the opposite of “hard up,” in possession of money, not poverty-stricken.—_Shakspeare._

~Flush~, to whip; “FLUSHED on the horse,” to be privately whipped in gaol; to deluge with water, as in “FLUSHING the sewers;” to come upon suddenly and completely,—“I came FLUSH upon him.”

~Flush~, a term in cribbage, signifying a hand of cards composed entirely of one suit.

~Flutter~, to try hard in defence or pursuit of an object. “I’ll have a FLUTTER for it,” means I’ll have a good try for it. Also to toss for anything. Probably from the spinning of the coin.

~Fly~, knowing, wide-awake, fully understanding another’s meaning.

~Fly~, TO BE ON THE, to be out for a day’s drink or pleasure.

~Fly~, to lift, toss, or raise; “FLY the mags,” _i.e._, toss up the halfpence; “to FLY a window,” _i.e._, to lift one for the purpose of stealing.

~Fly-boys~, men employed to clear the printed copies from the Hoe machines, on which daily papers are “worked.” So called to distinguish them from the “machine boys,” a superior grade of labourers who “lay on” the sheets.

~Flying mare~, a throw in wrestling.

~Flying mess~, “to be in FLYING MESS” is a soldier’s phrase for being hungry and having to mess where he can.

~Flying stationer~, a paper-worker, hawker of penny ballads; “Printed for the Flying Stationers” is the _imprimatur_ on hundreds of penny histories and sheet songs of the last and present centuries.

~Flymy~, knowing, cunning, roguish.—_Seven Dials and Low Life._

~Fly the kite~, or RAISE THE WIND, to obtain money on bills, whether good or bad, probably in allusion to tossing paper about as children do kites.

~Fly the kite~, to evacuate from a window,—term used in padding-kens, or low lodging-houses.

~Fobbed~, old slang for robbed. From FOB, the ancient breeches-pocket for the watch.

~Fogey~, or OLD FOGEY, a dullard, an old-fashioned or singular person. Grose says it is a nickname for an invalid soldier, from the French _fougueux_, fierce or fiery, but it has lost this signification now.

~Fogger~, old word for a huckster.

~Fogger~, a farm servant who feeds cattle. Probably a corruption of fodderer.

~Foggy~, tipsy.

~Fogle~, a silk handkerchief,—not a clout, which is of cotton. It has been hinted that this may have come from the German _Vogel_, a bird, from the bird’s-eye spots on some handkerchiefs, but a more probable derivation is the Italian slang (_Fourbesque_), FOGLIA, a pocket, or purse; or from the French Argot, FOUILLE, also a pocket.

~Fogus~, tobacco.—_Ancient Cant._ FOGO, old word for stench.

~Follow-me-lads~, curls hanging over a lady’s shoulder.

~Foont~, a sovereign, or 20_s._ Probably a corruption of vingt.

~Footing~, “to pay FOOTING.” _See_ SHOE.

~Forakers~, the closet of decency, or house of office. Term used by the boys at Winchester School. Very likely from “four acres,” the original necessary having been in all likelihood a field behind the school.

~Force the voucher~, a term in use among sporting tricksters, who advertise to send certain winners, and on receipt of letters enclose vouchers similar to those sent out by respectable commission agents, but with double or treble the current odds marked thereon, in reference to the horse named. A plausible letter is sent with the voucher, and the victim is informed that on account of early investments made by the firm, which has of course a high-sounding title, the extra odds can be laid by them, and a remittance to the amount named, or part of it, is requested. Of course the firm “dries up” when claims become heavy, and, with a new name and new address, appears in the next week’s advertising columns. FORCING THE VOUCHER was a fine game when it was first started, but it was soon overdone, as it required no particular ingenuity, and offered special immunities, theft of this kind being rather favoured than otherwise by the authorities. Certainly the law that punishes honest betting men seems powerless with regard to these plunderers, otherwise we should hardly be treated as often as we are to the spectacle of one man being fined for honest dealing, while another escapes simply because he is not a betting man, but a welcher.

~Fork out~, to bring out one’s money, to pay the bill, to “stand for” or treat a friend; to hand over what does not belong to you—old cant term for picking pockets, and very curious in its origin. In the early part of the last century, a little book was published on purloining, and of course it had to give the latest modes. FORKING was the newest mode, and it consisted in thrusting the fingers stiff and open into the pocket, and then quickly closing them and extracting any article thus caught.

~Forks~, or GRAPPLING-IRONS, fingers. Costermongers and other clumsy feeders have a proverb which seems to justify their taking bones and choice morsels in their hands during the progress of a meal. It is, “Fingers were the first FORKS;” sometimes varied to “Fingers were made before FORKS.”

~Form~, condition, training. “In good FORM” or “in bad FORM” refers to a man’s or horse’s state of being in the sporting world. FORM has also had a moral significance of late years, and with the qualifying adjectives attached as occasion requires, is extensively used in general conversation. As, “It was bad FORM of Brown to do that.” “That article was bad FORM.” In the latter cases the word “in” rarely appears.

~Forty foot~, a derisive appellation for a very short person.

~Forty guts~, vulgar term for a fat man.

~Forty-twa~, the common place of retirement on a well-known French plan at Edinburgh, so called from its accommodating that number of persons at once.

~Forty winks~, a short sleep or nap.

~Fou~, rather more than slightly intoxicated.—_Scotch._

“We are na’ FOU, we are na’ FOU.”

~Foul~, to jostle or bore unfairly in a race. _See_ BORE. To touch any foreign substance during a race—particularly a boat-race—is to FOUL it.

~Foul~, a touch, no matter how slight, of bodies or machinery in a race of any kind. FOULS in boat-racing are often inevitable, and are not always the result of boring or any other malicious practice.

~Foul riding~, riding which after a horse-race is made the subject of complaint, such as refusing to let a competitor pass, boring him against the rails, &c. Some jockeys are great adepts at this work, and are invaluable to a confederacy as a means, not so much of attaining victory themselves, as of preventing its attainment in others. Of course unless proof of jostling can be given, or evidence of malicious intent shown, jockeyship of this kind is not considered foul riding.

~Four-and-nine~, or FOUR-AND-NINEPENNY GOSS, a cheap hat, so called from 4_s._ 9_d._, the price at which a once noted advertising hat-maker sold his hats—

“Whene’er to slumber you incline,
Take a short nap at 4 and 9.”

~Four-eyes~, a man or woman who habitually wears spectacles.

~Four kings~, HISTORY OF THE, an old name for a pack of playing cards. _See_ Sir Thomas Urquhart’s _Translation of Rabelais_. In _Argot_, LIVRE DES QUATRE ROIS.

~Fourth~, or FOURTH COURT, the court appropriated to the waterclosets at Cambridge; from its really being No. 4 at Trinity College. A man leaving his room to go to the FOURTH COURT, writes on his door, in algebraic notation, GONE^4, which expresses the Cambridge slang phrase, “gone to the FOURTH.”

~Fourth estate~, the complete body of journalists of all descriptions. This term is much in use among “liners.”

~Fox~, to cheat or rob.—_Eton College._ In London to watch closely and narrowly.

~Foxed~, a term used by print and book collectors to denote the brown spotted appearance produced by damp on paper.

~Foxing~, when one actor criticises another’s performance.—_Theatrical._ Also in street slang FOXING means watching slyly.

~Fox’s Sleep~, or FOXING, a purposely assumed indifference to what is going on. A fox, as well as a weasel, is said to sleep with one eye open.

~Foxy~, rank, tainted, from the odour of the animal.—_Lincolnshire._

~Foxy~, said also of a red-haired person.

~Frapping~, a beating. _French_, FRAPPER.

~Free-and-easy~, a club held at a low public-house, the members of which meet in the tap-room or parlour for the purpose of drinking, smoking, and hearing each other sing. These gatherings are generally called harmonic meetings by the landlord, but FREE-AND-EASY best indicates the character of the proceedings.

~Free fight~, a fight conducted on the Irishman’s principle—“Sure, wherever you see a head, hit it.” The term is, however, American, so the practice may be considered fairly general.

~Freeman’s quay~, “drinking at FREEMAN’S QUAY,” _i.e._, at another’s cost. This quay was formerly a celebrated wharf near London Bridge, and the saying arose from the beer which was given gratis to porters and carmen who went there on business.

~French cream~, brandy.

~French gout~, a certain disease, which is also known as “ladies’ fever.”

~French leave~, TO TAKE, to leave or depart slyly, without saying anything; or obtaining permission.

~Fresh~, said of a person slightly intoxicated.

~Freshman~, a University man during his first year. The official appellation for the students until they have passed the Previous or First Cambridge Examination, otherwise called the Smalls or Little Go, is Junior Sophs or Sophisters. After this they are Senior Sophs until their last term, when they are Questionists, or preparing “_ad respondendum quæstioni_.” At Oxford the title FRESHMAN lasts for the first term.

~Friday-face~, a gloomy-looking man. Most likely from FRIDAY being a day of meagre fare among Catholics and High Church Protestants.

~Frisk~, to search; FRISKED, searched by a constable or other officer.

~Frisk a cly~, to empty a pocket.

~Frog~, a policeman. Because, by a popular delusion, he is supposed to pounce suddenly on delinquents.

~Frog’s march~, the manner in which four or more policemen carry a drunken or turbulent man to the station-house. The victim is held face downwards, one constable being at each shoulder, while the others hold on above the knees. Often there is another active and intelligent officer who beats time to the march on the recalcitrant hero’s posteriors.

~Frontispiece~, the face.

~Frow~, a girl, or wife. _German_, FRAU; _Dutch_, VROUW.

~Frummagemmed~, annihilated, strangled, garrotted, or spoilt.—_Old Cant._

~Frump~, a slatternly woman, a gossip.—_Ancient._ In modern slang it is the feminine of FOGEY, and means a prim old lady, who is generally termed “a regular old FRUMP.”

~Frump~, to mock or insult.—_Beaumont and Fletcher._

~F sharps~, fleas. Compare B FLATS.

~Fudge~, nonsense, stupidity. Todd and Richardson only trace the word to Goldsmith. Disraeli, however, gives the origin to a Captain Fudge, a great fibber, who told monstrous stories, which made his crew say in answer to any improbability, “You FUDGE it!”—_See Remarks on the Navy_, 1700. At page 87 of a collection of some papers of William Crouch (8vo, 1712), the Quaker, we find a mention of this Captain. Degory Marshall informed Crouch that—

“In the year 1664 we were sentenced for banishment to Jamaica by
Judges Hyde and Twisden, and our number was 55. We were put on board
the ship Black Eagle; the master’s name was FUDGE, by some called
LYING FUDGE.”

Some persons believe that the word comes from the _Gaelic_, FFUG, deception.

~Fuggies~, hot rolls.—_School._

~Full against~, opposed to. As, “I’m FULL AGAINST him,” I decidedly object to, or dislike him, or I am opposed to him. The term originated with the bookmakers; who, when they have laid all their money against a certain horse, put a mark against his name, and reply to all inquiries, “FULL AGAINST him.” This grew to “FULL AGAINST his winning,” and was thus taken, when shortened, to express feeling the reverse of friendly.

~Fullams~, false dice, which always turn up high.—_Shakspeare._

~Full blast~, a term evidently borrowed from the technology of the engine-room, and now frequently used to express the heyday or apogee of anything. As, “By the middle of the day matters were in FULL BLAST, and proceedings generally were very satisfactory.”

~Full feather~, good condition, high spirits. Also any one gaily dressed is said to be in FULL FEATHER.

~Full fig~, full costume, male or female uniform or evening dress.

~Full of beans~, arrogant, purseproud. A person whom sudden prosperity has made offensive and conceited, is said to be too “FULL OF BEANS.” Originally stable slang.

~Fully~, “to be FULLIED,” to be committed for trial. Term in general use among thieves. Possibly from the reports which, in the slang of the penny-a-liner, say “the prisoner was FULLY committed for trial.” The magistrates often say FULLY committed also, whatever that may mean.

~Funk~, trepidation, nervousness, cowardice. To FUNK, to be afraid or nervous.

~Funk~, to smoke out, or terrify.

~Funking the cobbler~, a bold schoolboy trick, performed with assafœtida and cotton stuffed into a hollow tube or cow’s horn. The cotton being lighted, the smoke is blown in through the keyhole of a door, or the crannies of a cobbler’s stall. A funny song, much in vogue some years back, gave all the agonies of a drunken cobbler, who believed the devil had come for him, with all sorts of accessories, till

“He was told by a shout
That ’twas only some boys who’d been FUNKING him out.”

~Funny~, a rowing boat with both ends pointed and out of the water.

~Funny-bone~, the extremity of the elbow—or rather, the muscle which passes round it between the two bones, a blow on which causes painful tingling in the fingers. Facetiously derived, from its being the extremity of the _humerus_ (humorous).

~Fye-buck~, a sixpence.—_Nearly obsolete._

~Gab~, GABBER or GABBLE, talk; “gift of the GAB,” loquacity, or natural talent for speech-making.—_Anglo-Norman_; GAB is also found in the _Danish_ and _Old Norse_.

~Gaby~, a simpleton, a country bumpkin. Probably from gape.

~Gad~, a trapesing slatternly woman.—_Gipsy._ _Anglo-Saxon_, GÆDELING.

~Gadding the hoof~, going without shoes. GADDING, roaming about, although used in an old translation of the Bible, is now only heard amongst the lower orders.

~Gaff~, a penny play-house, in which talking is not permitted on the stage. _See_ PENNY GAFF.

~Gaffer~, a master, or employer; term used by “navvies,” and general in Lancashire and North of England. Early English for an old man. _See_ “BLOW THE GAFF.”

~Gaffing~, tossing halfpence, or counters.—_North_, where it means tossing up three halfpennies. One man tosses, and another calls. Sometimes the coins are tossed from a stick, and the tosser keeps those which fall heads uppermost.

~Gag~, a lie; “a GAG he told to the beak.”—_Thieves’ Cant._

~Gag~, language introduced by an actor into his part. In certain pieces this is allowed by custom, and these are called GAG-PIECES. _The Critic, or a Tragedy Rehearsed_, is chief among these. Many actors, however, take French leave in this respect with most pieces.—_Theatrical slang._

MR. ROBSON AT BELFAST.—We (_Northern Whig_) suspected a little bit
of what is professionally termed GAG in Mr. Robson’s _Daddy
Hardacre_ last night. He had occasion to say that one of the
characters in the piece “understands me well enough,” to which he
added—“I wish some other people did the same,” with an expressive
glance at the pit; which we interpreted as having special reference
to those appreciative persons in the audience whom we have already
mentioned, who think it absolutely needful to roar with laughter at
every sentence Mr. Robson utters, without the least regard to
whether it be humorous or pathetic—only because Mr. Robson has fame
as a comic actor.

When another Robson shall arise, no one will object to his GAGGING a little. The public could afford that to such a man in these days of “creations.”

~Gag~, to hoax, “take a rise” out of one; to “cod.”

~Gage~, a small quantity of anything; as “a GAGE of tobacco,” meaning a pipeful; “a GAGE of gin,” a glassful. GAGE was, in the last century, a chamber utensil.

~Galeny~, old cant term for a fowl of any kind; now a respectable word in the West of England, signifying a Guinea fowl.—_Vide_ Grose. _Latin_, GALLINA.

~Gallanty show~, an exhibition in which black figures are shown on a white sheet to accompanying dialogue. Generally given at night by “Punch and Judy” men.

~Gallimaufry~, a kind of stew, made up of scraps of various kinds. Sea term, and probably meaning the galley scraps.

~Gallipot~, an apothecary.

~Gallivant~, to wait upon the ladies.—_Old._

~Gallows~, or GALLUS, very, or exceedingly—an unpleasant exclamation; “GALLOWS poor,” very poor. Term originally applied to anything bad enough to deserve hanging.

~Gallows bird~, an incorrigible thief; often applied to denote a ruffian-like appearance.

~Gallowses~, in the North of England a pair of braces.

~Gally-yarn~, a sailor’s term for a hoaxing story. He expresses disbelief by saying only “G. Y.”

~Galoot.~—_See_ GEELOOT.

~Galore~, abundance. _Irish_, GO LEOR, in plenty.

~Gamb~, a leg. Still used as an heraldic term, as well as by thieves, who probably get it from the _Lingua Franca_. _Italian_, GAMBA; _French_, JAMBE, a leg.

~Game~, a term variously applied; “are you GAME?” have you courage enough? “what’s your little GAME?” what are you going to do? “come, none of your GAMES,” be quiet, don’t annoy me; “on the GAME,” out thieving. To “play the GAME” is among sporting men to do a thing thoroughly and properly.

~Game leg~, a lame or wounded leg.

~Gameness~, pluck, endurance, courage generally.

~Gammon~, deceit, humbug, a false and ridiculous story. _Anglo-Saxon_, GAMEN, game, sport.

~Gammon~, to hoax, to deceive merrily, to laugh at a person, to tell an untrue but plausible story, to make game of, or, in the provincial dialect, to make GAME on;—“who’s thou makin’ thy GAM’ on?” _i.e._, of whom are you making a fool?—_Yorkshire._

~Gammy~, bad, unfavourable, poor tempered. Those householders who are known enemies to the street folk and tramps are pronounced by them to be GAMMY. GAMMY sometimes means forged, as “GAMMY-MONNIKER,” a forged signature; GAMMY STUFF, spurious medicine; GAMMY LOWR, counterfeit coin. _Hants_, GAMY, dirty. The hieroglyphic used by beggars and cadgers to intimate to those of the tribe coming after that things are not very favourable is known as □, or GAMMY. _Gaelic_, _Welsh_, and _Irish_, CAM (GAM), crooked.

~Gammy-vial~ (Ville), a town where the police will not let persons hawk.

~Gander Month~, the period when the monthly nurse is in the ascendant, and the husband has to shift for himself. Probably from the open choice he has during that period.

~Ganger~, the person who superintends the work of a gang, or a number of navigators.

~Gape~, to stare about in an astonished manner. “GAPING about like a country bumpkin.” Sometimes pronounced GARP. There is no reference in the use of this phrase by Cockneys to GAPE in its correct sense.

~Gape-seed~, something to look at, cause for astonishment; a lazy fellow, unmindful of his work, is said to be “looking for GAPE-SEED.” Rustics are said to find plenty of “GAPE-SEED” in London streets.

~Gar~, euphuistic rendering of the title of the Deity; “be GAR, you don’t say so!”—_Franco-English._

~Garden~, among tradesmen signifies Covent GARDEN Market; among theatrical performers, Covent GARDEN Theatre.

~Gardener~, an awkward coachman; an insinuation that he is both coachman and gardener, and understands the latter branch of service better than the first; “get on, GARDENER,” is a most insulting expression from a cabby to a real coachman. Men who in small families do the coach, garden, and general work, are sometimes called “teakettle grooms,” or “teakettle coachmen.”

~Gargle~, medical-student slang for drinkables.

~Garnish~, the douceur or fee which, before the time of Howard the philanthropist, was openly exacted by the keepers of gaols from their unfortunate prisoners for extra comforts. The practice of garnishing is by no means so defunct as some folk seem to think, and its influence may often be traced by those who wish.

~Garnish~, footing money.—_Yorkshire._

~Garreter~, a thief who crawls over the tops of houses, and enters garret-windows. Called also a “dancer,” or “dancing-master,” from the light and airy nature of his occupation.

~Garrotte~, a system of robbery with violence much practised on dark winter nights by ruffians who during summer infest racecourses and fairs. Their victims are generally weak men and delicate women. From the Spanish GARROTTE, because the practice generally commences with a throttling attack. Procedure is, however, various, these gentlemen being possessed of much ingenuity in the way of torture. “The cat” has within the past year or so done much to modify this offensive state of things, but the sympathetic appeals of certain tenderhearted M.P.’s and other philanthropists, who are not themselves likely to be garrotted, on behalf of the garrotters, will probably before long result in a withdrawal of the _lex talionis_, and a natural resumption of the garrotte system, with new adornments.

~Garrotting~, a mode of cheating practised amongst card-sharpers, by concealing certain cards at the back of the neck.

~Gas~, to give off superfluous conceit, to bounce or brag; “his game is GAS.” “To give a person GAS,” is to scold him or give him a good beating. Synonymous with “to give him Jessie.”

~Gassy~, or GASEOUS, liable to “flare up” at any offence.

~Gate~, THE, Billingsgate. Sometimes Newgate, according to the occupation and condition of the speaker. In the same way Paternoster Row is by publishers known as “the Row.”

~Gate~, to order an undergrad not to pass beyond the college GATE. As a rule, the GATE begins after hall, but in extreme cases the offender is GATED for the whole day.—_University._

~Gate-race~, among pedestrians a mock race, got up not so much for the best runner to win, as for the money taken from spectators, at the gate. This sort of business is not peculiar to pedestrians; there are such things as gate-money meetings at horse-racing.

~Gatter~, beer; “shant of GATTER,” a pot of beer. A curious slang street melody, known in Seven Dials as _Bet the Coaley’s Daughter_, thus mentions the word in a favourite verse:—

“But when I strove my flame to tell,
Says she, ‘Come, stow that patter,
If you’re a cove wot likes a gal,
Vy don’t you stand some GATTER?’
In course I instantly complied—
Two brimming quarts of porter,
With sev’ral goes of gin beside,
Drain’d Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”

~Gaudy~, the annual dinner of the Fellows of a College, in memory of founders and benefactors. From GAUDEAMUS.—_Oxford University._

~Gawfs~, cheap red-skinned apples, a favourite fruit with costermongers, who rub them well with a piece of cloth, and find ready purchasers.

~Gawky~, a lanky, or awkward person; a fool. _Saxon_, GEAK; _Scotch_, GOWK.

~Gay~, loose, dissipated; “GAY woman,” a kept mistress or prostitute. Many people will remember Leech’s celebrated caricature of two wretched females on an equally wretched night, and the question asked by one woman of the other, “How long have you been GAY?”

~Gay tyke boy~, a dog-fancier.

~Gee~, to agree with, or be congenial to a person.

~Geeloot~, or GALOOT, a recruit, or awkward soldier. A clumsy person, also a term of contempt in America.

~Gen~, a shilling. _See_ back-slang article.

~Gent~, a contraction of “gentleman,”—in more senses than one. A dressy, showy, foppish man, with a little mind, who vulgarizes the prevailing fashion.

~Gent~, silver. From the _French_, ARGENT.

~Gentleman of four outs;~ in Ireland when a vulgar, blustering fellow asserts that he is a gentleman, the retort generally is, “Yes, a GENTLEMAN OF FOUR OUTS”—that is, without wit, without money, without credit, and without manners.

~Gentleman of three ins~,—that is, in debt, in danger, and in poverty.

~Geordie~, general term in Northumberland and Durham for a pitman, or coal-miner. From the _Greek_, GEORGE meaning one who works the earth, originally a cultivator; the term has been in use more than a century.

~German Duck~, a sheep’s-head stewed with onions; a favourite dish among the German sugar-bakers in the East-end of London.

~German Ducks~, bugs.—_Yorkshire._

~Get up~, a person’s appearance or general arrangements. Probably derived from the decorations of a play.

“There’s so much GETTING UP to please the town,
It takes a precious deal of coming down.”

_Planché’s Mr. Buckstone’s Ascent of Parnassus._

~Ghost~, “the GHOST doesn’t walk,” a theatrical term which implies that there is no money about, and that there will be no “treasury.”

~Gibberish~, unmeaning jargon; the language of the gipsies, synonymous with SLANG, another Gipsy word. Somner says, “_French_, GABBER; _Dutch_, GABBEREN; and our own GAB, GABBER; hence also, I take it, our GIBBERISH, a kind of canting language used by a sort of rogues we vulgarly call gipsies, a gibble-gabble understood only among themselves.” _See Introduction._ The GIBBERISH of schoolboys is formed by placing a consonant between each syllable of a word, and is called the GIBBERISH of the letter inserted. Thus, if F were the letter, it would be termed the F GIBBERISH; if L, the L GIBBERISH—as in the sentence, “How do you do?—_Howl dol youl dol?_” A GIBBERISH is sometimes formed by adding _vis_ to each word, in which the previous sentence would be—“_Howvis dovis youvis dovis?_” These things are worthy of schoolboys, as they are in ability far below the rhyming, the back, or the centre slang, each of which is constructed by people possessing no claim to literary excellence whatever. Schoolboys in France form a GIBBERISH, in a somewhat similar manner, by elongating their words two syllables, in the first of which an _r_, in the second a _g_, predominates. Thus the words _vous êtes un fou_ are spoken, _vousdregue esdregue undregue foudregue_. Fast persons in Paris, of both sexes, frequently adopt terminations of this kind, from some popular song, actor, exhibition, or political event. In 1830, the favourite termination was _mar_, saying _épicemar_ for épicier, _cafémar_ for café. In 1823, when the diorama created a sensation in Paris, the people spoke in _rama_ (_on parlait en rama_.) In Balzac’s beautiful tale, _Le Père Goriot_, the young painter at the boarding-house dinner-table mystifies the landlady by saying, “What a beautiful _soupeaurama_!” To which the old woman replies, to the great laughter of the company, “I beg your pardon, sir, it is _une soupe à choux_.” These adaptations can hardly be called slang, or we shall have everybody making a slang of his own, and refusing to believe in any one’s else—a sort of secondhand edition of the Tower of Babel.

~Gib-face~, a heavy, ugly face; GIB is properly the lower lip of a horse; “to hang one’s GIB,” to pout the lower lip, to be angry or sullen.

~Gibus~, an opera hat. From the inventor of the crush hat.

~Giffle-gaffle~, or GIBBLE-GABBLE, nonsense. _See_ CHAFF. _Icelandic_, GAFLA.

~Gig~, a farthing. Formerly GRIG.

~Gig~, fun, frolic, a spree. _Old French_, GIGUE, a jig, a romp.

“In search of lark, or some delicious GIG,
The mind delights on, when ’tis in prime twig.”

_Randall’s Diary_, 1820.

“‘No heirs have I,’ said mournful Matt;
But Tom, still fond of GIG,
Cried out, ‘No hairs? don’t fret at that,
When you can buy a wig.’”

~Gig lamps~, spectacles; also a person who wears spectacles is often called GIG-LAMPS. Connexion obvious. This term has been in use probably as long as GIG-LAMPS themselves—if GIG-LAMPS were invented after spectacles.

~Gill~, or JILL, a homely woman; “Jack and Gill,” &c.

~Gills~, the lower part of the face.—_Bacon._ “To grease one’s GILLS,” “to have a good feed,” or make a hearty meal. A man suffering from the effects of a previous night’s debauch, is said to “look queer about the gills.”

~Gills~, overlarge shirt collars.

~Gilt~, money. _German_, GELD; _Dutch_, GELT.

~Gimcrack~, a bijou, a slim piece of mechanism. Old slang for “a spruce wench.”—_New Bailey._ Any things which are gaudy and easily breakable, are known now as GIMCRACKS.

~Ginger~, a showy, fast horse—as if he had been figged with GINGER under his tail; a red-haired man. Term commonly used in depreciation of a person’s appearance.

~Ginger hackled~, having flaxen, light yellow hair. Term originally used to describe a certain colour or colours in game-cocks.—_See_ HACKLE.

~Gingerly~, to do anything with great care.—_Cotgrave._

~Gingham~, an umbrella. Term very common in London.

~Gingumbob~, a bauble.

~Gin-spinner~, a distiller, or rectifier of gin.

~Give~, to strike, to scold; “I’ll GIVE it to you,” _i.e._, I will thrash you. To lead to, in the sense of directions. Thus, in one of the Christmas numbers of _All the Year Round_ we are told that “a side portal and a passage, dark at noon, GAVE upon Paradise Alley.” This usage of the word, from the French idiomatic use of _donner_, is becoming by no means uncommon.

~Give in~, to admit oneself defeated, to “throw up the sponge,” or “strike one’s flag.”

~Give it mouth~, a rude request to an actor or orator, which means, speak up. Low folk can fancy nothing higher in the way of encomium on an actor than, “He’s the cove to GIVE IT MOUTH—rather!”