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 4d.—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!”