3. (old).—A term of contempt.
Fluffiness, subs. (common).—1. Drunkenness. Cf., Fluffy and Fluffer.
1886. Fun, 4 August, p. 44. A sullen-faced, clerical-looking young man, charged with fluffiness in a public conveyance, said he was sober as a judge when taken into custody. [[35]]
2. (theatrical).—The trick, or habit, of forgetting words.
Fluffy, adj. (common and theatrical).—Unsteady; of uncertain memory. Cf., Fluffer (sense 2), and Fluffiness (sense 2).
1885. Referee, July 26, p. 3, col. 2. In the last act Groves and one or two others were either what actors call fluffy in their lines, or else Mr. Cross was guilty of irritating tautology.
Fluke, subs. (common).—In billiards, an accidental winning hazard; in all games a result not played for; a crow (q.v.). In yachting an effect of chance; a result in which seamanship has had no part. Hence, a stroke of luck. Sp., bambarria.
1857. Notes and Queries, 2 S. IV., p. 208, col. 1. In playing at billiards, if a player makes a hazard, etc., which he did not play for, it is often said that he made a crow.… Another term is, ‘He made a flook (or fluke).’
1869. Whyte Melville, M or N, p. 100. ‘Only lost a pony on the whole meeting,’ answered Dick triumphantly. ‘And even that was a fluke, because Bearwarden’s Bacchante filly was left at the post.’
1873. Black, Princess of Thule, ch. xix. ‘These conditions are not often fulfilled—it is a happy fluke when they are.’