Four-and-nine, or FOUR-AND-NINEPENNY GOSS, a cheap hat, so called from 4s. 9d., the price at which a once noted advertising hat-maker sold his hats—
“Whene’er to slumber you incline,
Take a short nap at 4 and 9.”
Four-eyes, a man or woman who habitually wears spectacles.
Four kings, HISTORY OF THE, an old name for a pack of playing cards. See Sir Thomas Urquhart’s Translation of Rabelais. In Argot, LIVRE DES QUATRE ROIS.
Fourth, or FOURTH COURT, the court appropriated to the waterclosets at Cambridge; from its really being No. 4 at Trinity College. A man leaving his room to go to the FOURTH COURT, writes on his door, in algebraic notation, GONE4, which expresses the Cambridge slang phrase, “gone to the FOURTH.”
Fourth estate, the complete body of journalists of all descriptions. This term is much in use among “liners.”
Fox, to cheat or rob.—Eton College. In London to watch closely and narrowly.
Foxed, a term used by print and book collectors to denote the brown spotted appearance produced by damp on paper.
Foxing, when one actor criticises another’s performance.—Theatrical. Also in street slang FOXING means watching slyly.