Finnan Haddocks
Haddocks smoked with green wood; so called from a place-name, either Findhorn in Elgin, or Findon in Kin- cardineshire, both fishing villages where haddocks are cured.
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finnuf
A five-pound note. DOUBLE FINNUF, a ten-pound note.—German, FUNF, five.
finocchio
A gay man.
finook
Homosexual.
fire and brimstone
Intensely angry or severe criticism
fire and forget
Launch or initiate something and then leave it to proceed on its own
fire and fury
Intense anger or violence
fire and ice
Two things that are opposing or contradictory
fire and sword
Rapine and destruction perpetrated by an invading army. Poke not fire with a sword. This was a precept of Pythagoras, meaning add not fuel to fire, or do not irritate an angry man by sharp words which will only increase his rage. (See lamblichus: Protreptics, symbol ix.
fire drill
A practice exercise to prepare for an emergency
fire hose
A large amount of information given all at once
fire hunting
An American term for hunting at night with the aid of fire-pans, or links.
fire in the belly
Strong enthusiasm and motivation
fire new
Shakespeare, in Love's Labour Lost, i, 1, says, "A man of fire-new words." And again in Twelfth Night, ni, 2, "Fire-new from the mint"; and again in King Lear, v, 3, "Fire-new fortune" ; and again m Richard ///, i, 3, "Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current." Originally applied to metals and things manufactured in metal which shine. Subsequently applied generally to things quite new.
fire on all cylinders
To function or perform at maximum capacity or efficiency
fire priggers
Villains who rob at fires under pretence of assisting in removing the goods.
fire raiser
One guilty of arson for profit, usually to collect insurance money.
fire sale
A sale of goods at very low prices, typically due to urgent circumstances
fire ship
A wench who has the venereal disease.
fire shovel
He or she when young, was fed with a fire shovel; a saying of persons with wide mouths.
fire the starting gun
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fire up
To ignite.
fire, quoth the fox, when he pissed on the ice
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
fire-eater
A quarrelsome man, a braggadocio or turbulent person who is always ready to fight.
firing a gun
Introducing a story by head and shoulders. A man wanting to tell a particular story, said to the company, Hark! did you not hear a gun?--but now we are talking of a gun, I will tell you the story of one.
firing line
A position of intense pressure or criticism
firkytoodle
To cuddle or fondle.
firm up
To become more definite or certain
first and foremost
Most importantly or primarily
first and last
Most important and least important
first annual
an event that is intended to be the first of many, but may not recur
first catch your hare
It is generally believed that Mrs. Glasse, in the Art of Cookery, gave this direction; but the exact words are, "Take your hare when it is cased, and make a pudding, . . . etc." To "case" means to take off the skin, as in All's Well, iii, 6, "We'll make you some sport with the fox ere we case him." "First catch your hare," however, is a very old phrase, and in the 13th century Bracton (Bk. iv, tit. i, ch. xxi, sec.
first come, first served
Those who arrive earliest will be served before others
first deserve, then desire
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
First Fleet
The first convoy of ships taking convicts to Australia in 1788. The second fleet arrived in 1790. To have been a first fleeter became a matter of some pride, and the ex- pression was in use as late as 1848.
first flight
The first lot to finish in a foot or horse race, in a fox hunt, &c.
first floor
In England the first floor is the story next above the ground-floor, or entrance floor; but in America it is the ground floor itself.
first foot
See FIRST.^ How are your poor feet? An old street-cry said to have originated at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851. Tramping about the galleries broke down all but trained athletes.
first impressions are the most lasting
The initial impression made on someone is often the most memorable and influential
first light
Roughly, dawn. Used in World War II to signify the earliest time at which infantry can see to make their way forward; first tank light, about half an hour later, is the earliest time that a tank, closed down for battle, can see to move. The phrases last light and last tank light are used at the end of the day.
first loser
The runner-up in a competition
first love
The first person one falls in love with
first mile
The initial stage of a project or process
first nighter
One who makes a practice of attending the opening performance of plays.
first of all
used to indicate the most important thing
first of never
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
first off
Initially or to start with
first port of call
The first place to visit or contact for help or information
first things first
Do the most important tasks before less important ones
first thoughts are best
The initial idea or solution is often the most effective one
first up
first in a series or sequence
first-mover disadvantage
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fish
A seaman. A scaly fish; a rough, blunt tar. To have other fish to fry; to have other matters to mind, something else to do.
fish
A person; "a queer FISH," "a loose FISH." Term never used except in doubtful cases, as those quoted.
Fish always rots from the head downwards (The fish rots from the head down)
Corruption or decay starts at the top level of leadership
fish and chips
a traditional British dish of fried fish and potatoes
fish and guests smell after three days
Things that are initially welcome can become unpleasant over time
fish in troubled waters
To take advantage of a confusing or uncertain situation
fish lips
The vagina.
fish or cut bait
Make a decision or take action, rather than hesitating