1823. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, ii., 2. Tom. But, I say, only see how confoundedly the dustman’s getting hold of Logic—we’ll funk him. (Tom and Jerry smoke Logic), Log. Oh, hang your cigars, I don’t like it; let’s have no funking.
1841. Punch, I., p. 172. Look here … isn’t it considerable clear they’re a all funking like burnt cayenne in a clay pipe, or couldn’t they have made a raise somehow to get a ship of their own, or borrow one to send after that caged-up coon of a Macleod.
2. (common).—To terrify; to shrink or quail through nervousness or cowardice.
1858. A. Mayhew, Paved with Gold, Bk. III., ch. vi., p. 294. Perhaps we’re only funking ourselves useless, and it mayn’t be the farm chaps at all.
3. (colloquial).—To fear; to hesitate; to shirk; and (among pugilists) to come it (q.v.).
1836. Smith, The Individual, ‘The Thieves’ Chaunt.’ But dearer to me Sue’s kisses far Than grunting peck or other grub are, And I never funk the lambskin men When I sits with her in the boozing ken.
1846. Punch, X., p. 163. But as yet no nose is bleeding, As yet no man is down; For the gownsmen funk the townsmen, And the townsmen funk the gown.
1848. J. R. Lowell, Biglow Papers. To funk right out o’ p’lit’cal strife ain’t thought to be the thing.
1873. M. Collins, Squire Silchester’s Whim, ch. xvii. Come along! don’t funk it, old fellow.
English Synonyms.—To come it; to lose one’s guts; to shit one’s breeches; to get the needle (athletic).