strike of 1832. See quots. Cf., Scab Soc, Snob, Snob-stick, and Knobstick.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue, FLINTS, journeyman taylors who, on a late occasion, refused to work for the wages settled by law. Those who submitted were by the mutineers stiled dungs, i.e., dunghills.
1832. P. Egan, Book of Sports, p. 34. Jack Reeve is without a rival; the throne of the FLINTS is decidedly freehold property to him.
1834. Noctes Amb., xxxiv., vol. IV., p. 83. (The company is discussing the tailors' strike). Tickler. The FLINTS flash fire, and the day of the dungs is gone.
Old flint, subs. phr. (common). A miser: one who would 'skin a flint,' i.e., stoop to any meanness for a trifle.
1840. Dickens, Old Curiosity Shop, ch. vii., p. 34. It's equally plain that the money which the OLD FLINT—rot him—first taught me to expect that I should share with her at his death, will all be hers.
To fix one's flint. See Fix.
To flint in, verb. phr. (American). To act with energy; not to stand on ceremony; to pitch into; to tackle. A verb of action well-nigh as common as FIX (q.v.)
Flip, subs. (common).—1. Hot
beer, brandy, and sugar; also,
says Grose, called Sir Cloudesley
after Sir Cloudesley Shovel. See
Drinks.
1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Canting Crew. FLIP, Sea Drink, of small beer (chiefly) and brandy, sweetened and spiced upon occasion.
1690. Ward, London Spy, part II., p. 41. After the drinking a Kan of Phlip or a Bowl of Punch.
1705. Ward, Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. 4, p. 8. So have I seen on board of ship, Some knawing beeff, some spewing FLIP.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch xxiv. He . . . sent for a can of beer, of which he made excellent FLIP to crown the banquet.
1810. Crabbe, The Borough, Letter 16. Nay, with the seamen working in the ship, At their request, he'd share the grog and FLIP.
1875. C. D. Warner, Backlog Studies, p. 18. It was thought best to heat the poker red-hot before plunging it into the mugs of FLIP.
2. (popular).—A bribe or douceur.
3. (common).—A light blow, or snatch.
1821. Haggart, Life, p. 23. Barney made a very unceremonious FLIP at the bit.
Verb (thieves').—To shoot.
1819. Vaux, Flash Dict., s.v.
1834. Ainsworth, Rookwood (ed 1864), p. 273. Flip him, Dick; fire, or I'm taken.
To flip up verb. phr. (American).—To spin a coin.
1879. New York Tribune, 4 Oct. The two great men could FLIP UP to see which should have the second place.
Flip-Flap, subs. 1 (old).—1. A flighty creature.
1702. Vanbrugh, False Friend. 1. The light airy FLIP-FLAP, she kills him with her motions.
2. (popular). A step-dance; a CELLAR-FLAP (q.v.). Also (acrobats'); a kind of somersault, in which the performer throws himself over on his hands and feet alternately.
1727. Gay, Fables, 'Two Monkies.' The tumbler whirls the FLIP-FLAP round. With sommersets he shakes the ground.
1872. Braddon, Dead Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. There ain't nothing you can't do, Morty, from Shylock to a FLIP-FLAP.
