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

FLIP, corruption of FILLIP, a light blow.

FLIP-FLAPS, 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.

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

FLOG, to whip. Cited both by Grose and the author of Bacchus and Venus as a cant word. It would be curious to ascertain the earliest use; Richardson cites Lord Chesterfield.—Latin.

FLOGGER, a whip.—Obsolete.

FLOOR, to knock down.—Pugilistic.

FLOORER, a blow sufficiently strong to knock a man down.

FLOWERY, lodging, or house entertainment; “square the omee for the FLOWERY,” pay the master for the lodging.

FLUE FAKERS, chimney sweeps; also low sporting characters, who are so termed from their chiefly betting on the Great Sweeps.

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