Flick, or Flig, subs. (colloquial).—1. A cut with a whip-lash; hence, a blow of any sort. A flicking is often administered by schoolboys with a damp towel or pocket-handkerchief. For synonyms, see tanning.
1750. Fielding, Tom Jones, bk. VI., ch. ii. ‘I do know you are a woman,’ cries the squire, ‘and it’s well for thee, that art one; if had’st been a man, I promise thee I had lent thee a flick long ago.’
1787. Grose, Provincial Glossary, s.v. vlick.
2. (common).—A jocular salutation; usually old flick. Cf., Codger and My Tulip.
1883. Punch, 28 July, p. 38, col. 1. Well, last night, They’d a feet in these gardens, old flick, as was something too awfully quite.
Verb. (thieves’).—1. To cut.
1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Canting Crew. Flicking, c., to cut, cutting.
1728. Bailey, Eng. Dict. (flick is given as a ‘country word’).
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue. Flick me some pannam and cassan, cut me some bread and cheese; flick the peter, cut off the cloak bag or portmanteau. [[22]]
1791. Carew, Life and Adventures, q.v.