Flat-cap, subs. (old).—A nickname for a citizen of London. [In Henry the Eight's time flat round caps were the pink of fashion; but when their date was out, they became ridiculous. The citizens continued to wear them long after they were generally disused, and were often satirized for their fidelity].
1596. Ben Jonson, Every Man in H., ch. ii., v. 1. Mock me all over From my flat-cap unto my shining shoes.
1602. Dekker, Honest Whore. Old Plays, iii., 304. Come, Sirrah, you flat-cap, where be those whites?
1605. Marston, Dutch Court, ii., 1. Wealthy flat-caps that pay for their pleasure the best of any men in Europe.
1613. Beaumont and Fletcher, Hon. Man's Fort., v. 3. Trade? to the city, child: a flat-cap will become thee.
Flat-Cock, subs. (old).—A female.
[Grose, 1785.] For synonyms,
see Petticoat.
Flat-feet, subs, (common).—Specifically
the Foot Guards, but also
applied to other regiments of the
line. Also (generally with some
powerful adjective), applied to
militia men to differentiate them
from linesmen. For synonyms,
see Mud-crusher.
Flat-fish, (generally, a regular
flat-fish) subs, (common).—A
dullard. [A play upon flat
= stupid, and Fish = something
to HOOK or catch.] For synonyms,
see Buffle, Cabbage-Head,
and Sammy-Soft. Cf.,
Fr., platpied = a contemptible
fellow.
Flat-footed, adj. (American).—Downright;
resolute; honest.
[Western: the simile, common
to most languages, is of a man
standing, his back to the wall,
resolute to accomplish his purpose.]
1858. Harper's Magazine, Sept. His herculean frame, and bold, flat-footed way of saying things, had impressed his neighbours, and he held the rod in terrorism over them.
1871. Philadelphia Bulletin, Mar. 23. 'The row at St. Clement's Church.' Now the Committee of the vestry put their foot flatly down on auricular confession and priestly absolution.
1887. R. A. Proctor, Knowledge, June 1. When, in America, General Grant said he had put his foot down and meant to advance in that line if it took him all the summer, he conveyed . . . the American meaning of the expression FLAT-FOOTED.
Flat-head, subs. (American).—A
greenhorn; a sammy-soft
(q.v.)
Flat-iron, subs, (common).—A
corner public house. [From the
triangular shape. ]
Flattie or Flatty, subs.
(common).—A gull. [A diminutive
of flat, sense 1.] Formerly
cheap-jacks' = one in a new
'pitch.'
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 232. They betray to the flatties (natives) all their profits and proceedings.
Flat-move, subs. (old).—An
attempt or project that miscarries;
folly and mismanagement generally.—Grose.
Flats, subs. (old). 1. Playing
cards. For synonyms, see King's
Books.
1821. Haggart, Life, p. 56. We played at flats in a budging-crib.
2. (old).—False dice. For synonyms, see Fulhams.
