1880. Hawley Smart, Social Sinners, ch. xxxii. ‘I suppose, by your asking the question, you have become acquainted with Mr. Solamo’s past.’ ‘That’s just it, Mr. Prossiter; by an odd fluke I have.’
1891. Hume Nisbet, Bail Up! p. 144. He was now being cured only to be hanged, most likely, unless by some happy fluke he got off with imprisonment for life.
Verb (common and billiards).—1. To effect by accident.
1888. Sportsman, 20 Dec. Fortune once more assisted Mitchell, who, in trying to make a red loser, fluked a cannon, from which he got on the spot, and made forty-three winners in a break of 161.
2. (schoolboys’).—To shirk.
1864. Eton School Days, ch. xvi., p. 203. ‘By Jove! I think I shall fluke doing Verses; I should like to see Paddy drive tandem through College,’ said Butler Burke.
To cut flukes out, verb. phr. (nautical).—To mutiny; to turn sulky and disobedient.
To turn flukes, verb. phr. (nautical).—To go to bed; i.e., to bunk (q.v.), or turn in.
Fluky, or Flukey, adj. (common).—Of the nature of a fluke (q.v.); i.e., achieved more by good luck than good guidance.
1882. Standard, 3 Sept. Bonnor got a Flukey three to square leg.