subs. (colloquial).—1. The filth, part fluff, part hair, part dust, which collects under ill-kept beds, and at the junctures of sofas and chairs; BEGGAR’S VELVET (q.v.).
1860. DICKENS, The Uncommercial Traveller, xv. A power they possess of converting everything into FLUE. Such broken victuals as they take by stealth, appear (whatever the nature of the viands) invariably to generate FLUE. Ibid., vi. Take the old-established Bull’s Head with … its old-established FLUE under its old-established four-post bedsteads.
2. (common).—A contraction of ‘influenza.’
Verb (common).—To put in pawn.
IN (or UP) THE FLUE, phr. (common).—Pawned. For synonyms, see POP.
1821. P. EGAN, Real Life in London, I., p. 366.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, II., p. 250. I’ve had sometimes to leave half my stock IN FLUE with a deputy for a night’s rest.
UP THE FLUE (or SPOUT), adj. phr. (colloquial).—Dead; collapsed, mentally or physically.
TO BE UP ONE’S FLUE, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be awkward for one. THAT’S UP YOUR FLUE = That’s a ‘facer,’ or that’s up against you.
