A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words / Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

by John Camden Hotten

FIMBLE-FAMBLE, a lame prevaricating excuse.—Scand.

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.

FINUF, a five-pound note. Double Finuf, a ten-pound note.—German, FUNF, five.

FISHY, doubtful, unsound, rotten—a term used to denote a suspicion of a “screw being loose,” or “something rotten in the state of Denmark,” in alluding to an unsafe speculation.

FISH, a person; “a queer FISH,” “a loose FISH,” &c.

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

FIZZING, first-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous with STUNNING.

FLABERGAST, or FLABBERGHAST, to astonish, or strike with wonder.—Old.

FLAG, a groat, or 4d.—Ancient cant.