Fourth, subs. (Cambridge University).—A rear (q.v.) or jakes. [Origin uncertain; said to have been first used at St. John's or Trinity, where the closets were situated in the Fourth Court. Whatever its derivation, the term is now the only one in use at Cambridge, and is frequently heard outside the university.] The verbal phrase is to keep a fourth (see Keep).
On his fourth, phr. (common).—Hopelessly drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
Fourth Estate, subs. phr. (literary).—The
body of journalists;
the 'Press.' [Literally the Fourth
Estate of the realm, the other
three being Queen, Lords, and
Commons.]
1855. Notes and Queries. 1 S. xi., p. 452.
1857. J. E. Ritchie, Night Side of London, p. 202. Let me say a word about these exceedingly seedy-looking individuals connected with the fourth estate.
Four-wheeler, subs. (common).—A
steak.
2. (colloquial).—A four-wheeled cab; a growler (q.v.).
1873. Black, Princess of Thule, ch. 10. Having sent an all their luggage by a respectable old four-wheeler.
Fousty, adj. (colloquial).—Stinking
[probably derived from foist,
sense 3].
Fouter, verb, and Foutering, subs.
(common).—To meddle, importune,
waste time and tongue; the
act of meddling, importunity,
wasting time and tongue. E.g.,
'Don't come foutering here!'
[From the French, foutre: the
sense of which is intensified in a
vulgarism of still fuller flavour].
Fox, subs. (old).—A sword; specifically,
the old English broadsword.
[Derivation dubious. Suggesttions
are: (1) from a maker's
name; (2) from the fox sometimes
engraved on the blade; (3)
from the Latin falx.] For synonyms,
see Cheese-toaster and
Poker.
1598, Shakspeare, Henry V., 4. O signieur Dew, thou dy'st on point of fox.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, ii. A fellow that knows nothing but a basket-hilt, and an old fox in't.
c. 1640. [Shirley], Captain Underwit, in Bullen's Old Plays, ii., 321. Un. An old fox blade made at Hounsloe heath.
1667. Shirley, Love Tricks, Act II., Sc. 1. They say your swords most commonly are foxes, and have notable metal in them.
1700. Congreve, Way of the World, Act V., Sc. 10. Sir, I have an old fox by my thigh shall hack your instrument of ram vellum to shreds, Sir.
1821. Scott, Kenilworth, ch. iv. 'Come, come, comrade,' said Lambourne, 'here is enough done, and more than enough, put up your fox, and let us be jogging.'
Verb (old).—1. To intoxicate. Foxed = drunk; to catch a fox = to be very drunk; while to flay the fox (Urquhart) = to vomit, to shed your liquor, i.e., to get rid of the beast.
1611. Barry, Ram Alley, Act IV. They will bib hard; they will be fine sunburnt, Sufficient fox'd or columber'd now and then.
1633. Heywood. Eng. Travellers, IV., v., p. 266 (Mermaid Series). Rioter. Worthy Reginald. Reig. Will, if he now come off well, fox you all, Go, call for wine.
c. 1640. [Shirley], Captain Underwit, in Bullen's Old Plays, ii. 375. Then to bee fox'd it is no crime, Since thickest and dull braines It makes sublime.
1661. T. Middleton, Mayor of Quinborough, V., i. Ah, blind as one that had been fox'd a sevennight.
1673. Shadwell, Epsom Wells, IV., in wks. (1720), ii., 248. But here's my cup. Come on. Udsooks, I begin to be fox'd.
