1852. Dickens, Bleak House. “I’m fly,” says Jo. “But FEN larks, you know.”
1877. Notes and Queries, 5 S., vii. 178. A comical application was, I remember well, “FEN live lumber!” which, if pronounced in time, would disable your opponent from moving a bystander out of the way of his shot.
Fardel, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—A division of Sixth Book for New College Election. [A.S. ferthe = the fourth, and del, a part or portion.]
1200. Orminn. The FEORRTHE DALE was bitahht (delivered) to Pilate.
1283. William of Palerne. Non might sen other the FERTHE DEL of a furlong.
Faside, subs. (Loretto).—To Faside Castle, and back: altogether about five miles. Boys who have been watching football matches have always to do this in wet weather; and, in bad weather, a Wallyford (q.v.). Whence Faside and Three Trees = a combined walk and run about seven miles on a short school-day not wet, when ground is unsuitable for games. [Why Three Trees is unknown.] See Grind-days.
Fat-flab, subs. (Winchester).—A cut off the fat part of a breast of mutton. See Dispar.
Feeder-cric, subs. (Christ’s Hospital: obsolete).—The game usually known as “rounders.” See Appendix.
1874. The Blue, Mar. In the country we shall have real unlimited cricket in the place of rounders, FEEDER-CRIC, and the scanty bi-weekly game in the suburbs.
Fellow-commoner, subs. (general).—See quots., and Commoner.