TO FIB. To beat. Fib the cove's quarron in the rumpad
for the lour in his bung; beat the fellow in the highway
for the money in his purse. CANT.—A fib is also a tiny lie.
FICE, or FOYSE. A small windy escape backwards, more
obvious to the nose than ears; frequently by old ladies
charged on their lap-dogs. See FIZZLE.
FID OF TOBACCO. A quid, from the small pieces of tow
with which the vent or touch hole of a cannon is stopped.
SEA TERM.
FIDDLE FADDLE. Trifling discourse, nonsense. A mere
fiddle faddle fellow; a trifier.
FIDDLESTICK'S END. Nothing; the end of the ancient fiddlesticks ending in a point; hence metaphorically used to express a thing terminating in nothing.
FIDGETS. He has got the fidgets; said of one that cannot
sit long in a place.
FIDLAM BEN. General thieves; called also St. Peter's sons,
having every finger a fish-hook. CANT.
FIDDLERS MONEY. All sixpences: sixpence being the usual sum paid by each couple, for music at country wakes and hops. Fiddler's fare; meat, drink, and money. Fiddler's pay; thanks and wine.
FIELD LANE DUCK. A baked sheep's head.
FIERI FACIAS. A red-faced man is said to have been served with a writ of fieri facias.