slang. Obs. Also 7 foyl, 8 foile. [First appears in the longer form foyl-cloy (later file-cloy); possibly this is not a comb. of file sb., but the original from which the latter is shortened; but the etymology is unknown. Cf. to file a cly (FILE v. 4).] A pick-pocket. Also, file-cloy, -lifter.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 191.
| The sixth is a Foyl-cloy, that not one Hick spare. | |
| The seventh is a Budge, to track up the stairs. |
1676. Warning for Housekprs., Title-p. Budg and Snudg, File-lifter, Tongue-padder, the private Theif.
1695. Kennett, Par. Antiq., Gloss., s.v. Putta, A file, or pickpocket whore.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais (1737), V. 218. Pickpockets, Divers, Buttocking-Foiles.
1721. Bailey, Bulk and File, is when one jostles you while another picks your pocket.
1725. New Cant. Dict., File-Cloy, a Pickpocket, Thief or Rogue.
1743. Fielding, Jon. Wild, IV. xiii. A Pick-pocket, or, in truer Language, a File.
