The Public School Word-book / A conribution to to a historical glossary of words phrases and turns of expression obsolete and in current use peculiar to our great public schools together with some that have been or are modish at the universities

by John Stephen Farmer

Finder, subs. (Oxford).—A waiter.

Finjy! intj. (Winchester).—An exclamation excusing one from participation in an unpleasant or unacceptable task, which he who says the word last has to undertake. Cf. Fains.

Firk (or Ferk), verb (Winchester).—To proceed; to hasten; to expel; to send; to drive away. [O.E. fercian.] Also TO FIRK UP and TO FIRK DOWN.

1283. William of Palerne. Thei bisiliche fondede (tried) fast to FERKE him forthward.

c. 1400. Troy Book. I you helpe shall the flese for to fecche, and FERKE it away.

[?] MS. Lincoln, Morte Arthure, f. 79. The Kyng FERKES furthe on a faire stede.

1599. Shakspeare, Henry V., iv. 4. Pistol. I’ll fer him, and FIRK him, and ferret him, discuss the same in French unto him. Boy. I do not know the French for fer and ferret and FIRK.

1611. Barry, Ram Alley [Dodsley, Old Plays (Reed), v. 466]. Nay, I will FIRK my silly novice, as he was never FIRK’D Since mid-wives bound his noddle.

1640. Brome, Antipodes. As tumblers do ... by FIRKING up their breeches.

1795. Sewell, Hist. of Quakers. At this the judge said, “Take him away: prevaricator! I’ll FERK him.”