FINGER POST. A parson: so called, because he points out
a way to others which he never goes himself. Like the
finger post, he points out a way he has never been, and
probably will never go, i.e. the way to heaven.
FINISH. The finish; a small coffee-house in Coven Garden,
market, opposite Russel-street, open very early in the
morning, and therefore resorted to by debauchees shut out
of every other house: it is also called Carpenter's coffee-house.
FIRING A GUN. Introducing a story by head and shoulders.
A man wanting to tell a particular story, said to the
company, Hark! did you not hear a gun?—but now we are
talking of a gun, I will tell you the story of one.
TO FIRE A SLUG. To drink a dram.
FIRE PRIGGERS. Villains who rob at fires under pretence of assisting in removing the goods.
FIRE SHIP. A wench who has the venereal disease.
FIRE SHOVEL. He or she when young, was fed with a fire shovel; a saying of persons with wide mouths.
FISH. A seaman. A scaly fish; a rough, blunt tar. To have other fish to fry; to have other matters to mind, something else to do.
FIT. Suitable. It won't fit; It will not suit or do.
FIVE SHILLINGS. The sign of five shillings, i.e. the crown.
Fifteen shillings; the sign of the three crowns.