Heading
he has a better chance . . . though his treacherous 'adopter' deserts him on a doorstep, than if he were so kindly cruel as to tolerate his existence at the farm.
2. (prison).—The prison infirmary. To fetch the farm = to be ordered infirmary diet and treatment.—See Fetch.
Farmer, subs. (old).—1. An alderman.
1848. Duncombe, Sinks of London, sv. 1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, or Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
2. (common).—One who contracts to lodge and feed pauper or illegitimate children.
1869. Greenwood, Seven Curses of London. These are not the farmers who append to their advertisements the notification that children of ill-health are not objected to.
Fart, subs. (vulgar).—An eruption
of wind through the anus. [A.S.
feort.] By implication a contemptible
person. Also verbally
= to discharge wind through
the anus. Fr., lâcher une pastille.
1383. Chaucer, The Miller's Tale. This Nicholas anon let fleen a fart As gret as it had been a thonder dint.
1610. Ben Jonson, The Alchemist, i., 1. Thy worst! I fart at thee.
1750. Fielding, Tom Jones. 'I don't give a fart for 'n,' says the squire, suiting the action to the word.
1785. Burns, Death and Dr. Hornbook. But Dr. Hornbook with his art And cursed skill, Has made them baith no worth a f—t.
Fart-catcher, subs. (vulgar).—A
footman. [That is, one who
follows another closely; cf.,
Fart.] Other names are flunkey;
John Thomas; James; catch-fart;
and Calves (q.v.).
Fart-daniel, subs. (venery).—The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see Monosyllable.
Farthing. Not to care a
brass farthing, phr. (common).—To
care nothing. Chaucer
uses the expression 'no farthing
of grease' as equivalent to a
small quantity. [James II. debased
the coinage and issued
brass pence, halfpence, and
farthings.]
Fartick (also Fartkin), subs.
(vulgar).—A diminutive of Fart
(q.v.).
Farting-crackers, subs. (old).—Breeches.
For synonyms, see
Bags and Kicks.
Farting-trap, subs. (Irish).—A
jaunting car. [An allusion to
the effects of the rough-driving
character of these vehicles.]
Fartleberries, subs. (vulgar).—Excrement
on the hair about the
anus; also dilberries (q.v.) or
clinkers (q.v.).
Fart-sucker, subs. phr. (common).—A
vile parasite; an 'arse-*hole
creeper.'
Fast, adj. and adv. (colloquial).—1.
Embarrassed; 'hard-up'; 'in a
tight place.'
2. (colloquial).—Dissipated; addicted to going the pace (q.v.): e.g., a fast man = a rake-*hell, or spendthrift; a fast woman = a strumpet; a fast life = a life of debauchery; a fast house = a brothel, or a sporting tavern; to dress fast = to dress for the town; to live fast = to 'go the pace,' and so forth.
1751. Smollett, Peregrine Pickle ch. lxxxviii. He returned to his former course of fast living among the bucks of the town.
