1785 Grose, Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. Fly-slicers: Life-guardmen, from their sitting on horseback, under an arch, where they are frequently observed to drive away flies with their swords.
Fly the Garter, subs. phr. (schoolboys').—Leap-frog.
1863. G. A. Sala, Breakfast in Bed, Essay VIII., p. 187 (1864). He has very probably been playing FLY-THE-GARTER in the gutter instead of waiting his turn at the office.
Fly-trap, subs. (common).—1.
The mouth. For synonyms, see
Potato trap.
2. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see Monosyllable.
Foaled, adj. (hunting).—Thrown
from a horse. Fr., faire parache.
Fob, or Fub, subs. (old).—1. A
cheat; a trick; a swindle. To
come the fob = to impose upon;
to swindle; cf., COME OVER.
1690. B. E., Dict. of the Canting Crew. Fob. c., a cheat trick.
1785. Grose, Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue, FOB, s.v.
1852. Judson, Mysteries of New York, ch. vii. He come ze FOB on some of ze nobilitie, and zey invite him to go to Amerique.
2. (old: now recognised).—A breeches pocket; a watch pocket.
1678. Butler, Hudibras, III., i., 107. Had rifled all his pokes and FOBS Of gimcrack whims and gingumbobs.
1690. B. E., Dict. of the Canting Crew. Fob, c., also a little pocket.
1703. Marvell, Poems on Affairs of State. 'Royal Revolutions.' When plate was in pawn and FOB at an ebb. Ibid. 'Last Instructions,' etc. More gold in's FOB, more lace upon his coat.
1785. Grose, Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
3. (common).—A watch chain or ribbon, with buckle and seals, worn hanging from the fob.
Verb. (old).—1. To rob; to cheat; to pocket; also TO FOB OFF.
1700. Congreve, Way of the World, i., 9. There were items of such a treaty in embrio; and if it shou'd come to life poor Mirabell wou'd be in some sort unfortunately FOBB'D, i'faith.
1703. Mrs. Centlivre, Stolen Heiress, III., iv., wks. (1872), i., 358. I shall be FOBBED of my mistress by and by. Why, Frank, why, thou wilt not FOB me, wilt thou?
1731. Fielding, Grub Street Opera, i., 5. While ev'ry one else he is FOBBING, He still may be honest to me.
1789. Wolcot [P. Pinder], Rowland for an Oliver, in wks. (Dublin. 1795), Vol. II., p. 159. To use a cant phrase, we've been finely FOBB'D, Indeed, have very dext'rously been robb'd.
1840. Howitt, Visits to Remarkable Places, p. 170. Very pretty sums he has FOBBED now and then.
1842. Punch, III., p. 239, col. 2. The world turns its back on you, and neither by cards nor dice can you FOB your brother mortal out of a single guinea.
2. (old).—To deceive; trifle with; disappoint; to put off dishonestly or unfairly.
1598. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV., ii., 1. A hundred mark is a long loan for a poor lone woman to bear, and I have borne, and borne, and borne, and have been FUBBED off and FUBBED off.
1602. Shakspeare, Othello, IV., 2. I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself FOBBED in it.
1610. Shakspeare, Coriolanus, I., 1. You must not think to FOB off our disgrace with a tale.
1884. Fortnightly Review, XXXVI., p. 75. In nothing are amateur backers of horses FOBBED OFF by professionals with less than the legitimate odds than in backing double and triple events.
