1731. Fielding, Amelia, v. vi. She was too ignorant . . . to know that if he had fallen into the hands of the Philistines he would hardly have been able so soon to recover his liberty.
1771. Smollett, Humphrey Clinker, ii. 191. I must make an effort to advance what further will be required to take my friend out of the hands of the Philistines.
2. (old).—A drunkard: see Lushington.
1708-10. Swift, Polite Conversation, i. Lady Answ. But, Colonel, they say, you went to Court last Night very drunk: Nay, I'm told for certain you had been among Philistines.
3. (provincial).—'Earwigs and such like insect tormentors.'—B. E. (c. 1696).
4. See Philistia.
Phiz (Phyz or Physog), subs.
(old).—The face: see Dial.—B. E.
(c. 1696); Grose (1785).
1693. Congreve, Old Bachelor, iv. 8. What a furious phiz I have.
1702. Steele, Grief a-la-Mode, i. i. Who can see such a horrid ugly Phyz as that Fellow's and not be shock'd?
1708-10. Swift, Polite Conversations, Intro. Abbreviations exquisitely refined; as, . . . Phizz for Phisiognomy.
1725. Bailey, Fr. of Colloquies of Erasmus, i. 51. Why, truly a Body would think so by thy slovenly Dress, lean Carcass, and ghastly Phyz.
1785. Poems in Buchan Dial, 33. Can Ajax count his sculls wi' me? Fan I brought Priam's sin, And Pallas' phiz, out through my face.
1789. Parker, Song, 'The Masqueraders' [Farmer, Musa Pedestris (1896), 73]. Twig methodist phizzes, with mask sanctimonious, Their rigs prove to judge that their phiz is erroneous.
1828. Smeaton, Doings in London. There is an odious harmony between his glossy garment and his smooth and senseless phiz.
1841. Rede, Sixteen String Jack, 'Song.' Says he, with his knowing phiz, I ain't very pertic'lar who it is!
1886-96. Marshall, 'Pomes' from the Pink 'Un, 76. He'd his right mince in mourning, which so worried Liz That she bung'd up his left, just to steady his phiz.
1894. Egerton, Keynotes, 87. It was so jolly to see the quaint little phiz smile up.
Phiz-gig, subs. (old).—1. An extravagantly
dressed old woman;
'an old ewe dressed lamb-fashion.'
2. (school).—A pyramid of moistened gunpowder, which, on ignition, fuses but does not flash.
Phœnix-man, subs. phr. (old).—See
quot.—Bailey (1726);
Grose (1785).
c. 1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Fire-drakes, Men with a Phenix for their Badge, in Livery, and Pay from the Insurance-Office, to extinguish Fires, Covering their Heads with an Iron-pot, or Head-piece.
Phœnex-nest, subs. phr. (venery).—The
female pudendum: see
Monosyllable.
1619. Massinger and Field, Fatal Dowry, iii. i. He toil'd to climb up to the Phœnix' nest, And in his prints leaves your ascent more easy. I do not know, you that are perfect critics, In women's books, may talk of maidenheads.
c. 1620-44. Herrick, Hesperides, 'Love perfumes all Parts.' If I kisse Anthea's brest, There I smell the Phenix nest . . . Hands, and thighs and legs, are all Richly Aromaticall.
Physic, subs, (venery).—1. Copulation:
see Greens and Ride.
1623. Massinger, Bonduca, i. 2. You are no sooner out of sight, but she Does feel strange qualms; then sends for her young doctor, Who ministers physic to her on her back, Her ladyship lying as she were entranced. Ibid., Duke of Milan, iv. 3. Lock up thy own wife, fool, that must take physic from her young doctor, physic upon her back Because thou hast the palsy in that part that makes her active.
