Fifty Club. A social club founded in 1899 by G. C. Paterson, incidentally for the entertainment of its members on the attainment of their fiftieth birthday.
Fighting Fifth. The 5th Foot, on account of their prowess during the Peninsular War.
Fighting Fitzgerald. George Robert Fitzgerald, a noted gamester and duellist of the eighteenth century, with whom no one ever picked a quarrel without falling by his hand. A sure shot and an expert swordsman, he was a man to be feared by all.
Fight Shy. Originally a prize-fighting expression, when one of the combatants betrayed a lack of courage.
Filberts. After St Philibert, on whose feast day, 22nd August, the nutting season commenced.
Filibuster. A Spanish and French corruption of the German freibeter, derived from the Dutch vlie-boot, or fly-boat, a small clipper vessel. This was introduced into England during the wars with the Low Countries. The word Freebooter claims the same origin.
Finality John. The sobriquet of John Russell, afterwards Earl Russell, from his conviction that the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832 would be a finality to the universal Suffrage Question.
Finch Lane. Properly Finke Lane, after Sir Richard Finke, who resided in it, and rebuilt the church of St Bennet on the site of the present Royal Exchange. A tradesman in Cheapside rejoices in the possession of the full name of this vanished church, St Bennet-Finke.
Fingal’s Cave. That of Fion MacCumhal, abbreviated into Fingal, a celebrated legendary hero.
Finland. Properly Fenland, the land of lakes and marshes. The native name of the country is Suomesimaa, the watered land of the Suomes.