Forest City. Cleveland (Ohio) and Portland (Maine), on account of the trees which characterise their beautiful avenues.
Forest Gate. The district which in modern times has sprung up south of the old gate leading into Epping Forest. A representation of the gate appears on the curtain of the local public hall, or, as it is now styled, “The Grand Theatre.”
Forest Hill. A name reminiscent of days when this portion of South London as far as Croydon was forest land.
Fore Street. The street in front of the London Wall, the Barbican or watch-tower, and Cripple Gate.
Forget-me-not. A flower emblematical of friendship or a keepsake. The story goes that a German knight, walking on the banks of the Danube with his lady, undertook, at her request, to gather a tuft of Mysotis palustris, growing in the water. Encumbered by his armour, he was carried away by the stream, and sank, after having thrown the flowers to his mistress, exclaiming: “Vergess mein nicht!”
Forlorn Hope. From the German verloren, lost. A company of soldiers ordered upon such a perilous enterprise, that there is small hope of their return.
Formosa. A Portuguese word signifying “beautiful.”
Fortino. A clipped phrase in several of the states of North America, from “For aught I know.”
Foster Lane. From the Church of St Vedast, the name of a Bishop of Arras. How Vedast came to be Anglicised into Foster is not explained.
Foul-weather Jack. Commodore John Byron, the circumnavigator of the eighteenth century. Whenever he put out to sea he was sure to experience foul weather.