1888. San Francisco News Letter, 4 Feb. 'I'm just gettin' sick'n tired of the way 't them fly dames go on, 'n the way t the fellahs hang round 'em 'n dance with 'em 'n so forth.'
Verb. (thieves').—1. To toss; to raise; to fly the mags = to toss up half-pence (cf., subs., sense 4).
1857. Snowden, Magistrates' Assistant, 3rd ed., p. 447. To lift a window. to fly a window.
2. (pugilistic).—To give way: as, china flies in the baking.
1865. G. F. Berkeley, My Life, II. 296. Heenan . . . told me his right hand was worth nothing to him, and we have since seen that his left flies, or, in other words, becomes puffed, softened, or severely damaged by the force of his own blows.
To fly around, verb. phr. (American).—To bestir oneself; to make haste. Also to fly around and tear one's shirt.
1851. Hooper, Widow Rugby's Husband, p. 44, Old 'ooman, fly around, git somethin' for the Squire and Dick to eat.
To fly the flag, verb. phr. (colloquial).—1. To walk the streets.
2. (vulgar).—To experience the menstrual flux.
See also Flag.
To fly high (or rather high).—1. verb. phr. (common).—To get, or be drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
2. (colloquial).—To keep the best company, maintain the best appearances, and affect the best aims: i.e., to be a High-flier (q.v). Also, to venture for the biggest stakes in the biggest way.
To fly low, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To make as little of oneself as possible; to sing small (q.v.); and (among thieves) to keep out of the way when wanted (q.v.).
To fly off the handle, verb. phr. (American pioneer).—To lose temper; to fail of a promise; to jilt; to die; also to slip off the handle (q.v.); to disappoint in any way. [In pioneer life for an axe to part company with its handle is a serious trial to temper and patience.]
1843-4. Haliburton, The Attaché. You never see such a crotchical old critter as he is. He flies right off the handle for nothing
1867. Home Journal (New York), 21 July (speaking of a man who had succeeded to a large fortune it says) he went off the handle in England rather unexpectedly.
1871. De Vere, Americanisms, p. 195 If a fair lady loses her temper, or worst of all, if she breaks the tender promise, she is said to fly off the handle, and the disappointment is as serious to the unlucky lover as a lost axe to many a settler.
1888. Pittsburg Chronicle. 'I can't say that I'am stuck on Sue Fitzpercy,' remarked Amy. 'She is liable to fly off the handle.'
To fly out, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To get angry; to scold.
1612. Chapman, Widow's Tears, Act II., p. 317 (Plays, 1874). For where-*fore rage wives at their husbands so when they fly out? for zeal. against the sin?
1665-6. Pepys, Diary, 17 Jan. It is to be feared that the Parliament will fly out against him and particular men, the next Session.
1712. Spectator, No. 479. He (Socrates) has said, My dear friend, you are beholden to Xantippe, that I bear so well your flying out in a dispute.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xx. 'And then the Colonel flies out about his boy, and says that my wife insulted him!'
