subs. (old).—A sword; specifically, the old English broadsword. [Derivation dubious. Suggestions are: (1) from a maker’s name; (2) from the fox sometimes engraved on the blade; (3) from the Latin falx.] For synonyms, see CHEESE-TOASTER and POKER.
1599. SHAKESPEARE, Henry V., iv. 4. O signieur Dew, thou dy’st on point of FOX.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair, ii. A fellow that knows nothing but a basket-hilt, and an old FOX in’t.
c. 1640. [SHIRLEY], Captain Underwit, i., in Bullen’s Old Plays, ii., 321. Un. An old FOX blade made at Hounsloe heath.
1667. SHIRLEY, Love Tricks, Act ii., Sc. 1. They say your swords most commonly are FOXES, and have notable metal in them.
1700. CONGREVE, The Way of the World, Act V., Sc. 10. Sir, I have an old FOX by my thigh, shall hack your instrument of ram vellum to shreds, Sir.
1821. SCOTT, Kenilworth, ch. iv. ‘Come, come, comrade,’ said Lambourne, ‘here is enough done, and more than enough, put up your FOX, and let us be jogging.’
Verb (old).—1. To intoxicate. FOXED = drunk; TO CATCH A FOX = to be very drunk; while TO PLAY THE FOX (Urquhart) = to vomit, to shed your liquor, i.e., to get rid of the beast.
1611. L. BARRY, Ram Alley, Act IV., Sc. 1.
| They will bib hard; they will be fine sun-burnt, | |
| Sufficient FOX’D or columber’d, now and then. |
1633. HEYWOOD, The English Traveller, IV., v., p. 266 (Mermaid Series), Rioter. Worthy Reginald. Reig. Well, if he now come off well, FOX you all, Go, call for wine.
c. 1640. [SHIRLEY], Captain Underwit, iv., in Bullen’s Old Plays, ii., 375.
| Then to bee FOXD it is no crime, | |
| Since thickest and dull Braines It makes sublime. |
1661. MIDDLETON, The Mayor of Quinborough, V., i. Ah, blind as one that had been FOX’D a sevennight.
1673. SHADWELL, Epsom Wells, IV., in wks. (1720), ii., 248. But here’s my cup. Come on. Udsooks, I begin, to be FOX’D!
1719. D’URFEY, Wit and Mirth; or Pills to Purge Melancholy, i., 194.
| Come, let’s trudge it to Kirkham Fair, | |
| There’s stout Liquor enough to FOX me. |
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, Dial. 2. Lady Sm. But, Sir John, your ale is terrible strong and heady…. Sir John. Why, indeed, it is apt to FOX one.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). FOX (v.) … also to make a person drunk or fuddled.
1891. The Sporting Times, 11 April. And so to bed well nigh seven in the morning, and myself as near FOXED as of old.
2. (old).—To cheat; to trick; to rob (colloquial at Eton). For synonyms, see GAMMON.
1639. MAYNE, The Citye Match, iii. 1. Bright. ’Fore Jove, the captain FOX’D him rarely.
1866. Notes and Queries, 3, S. x., 123. Where the tramps … out of their gout are FOXED.
3. (common).—To watch closely. Also TO FOX ABOUT. Cf., FOX’S SLEEP. For synonyms, see NOSE.
1880. GREENWOOD, At Flyfaker’s Hotel, in Odd People in Odd Places, p. 61. ‘You keep it going pretty loud here, with a couple of policemen FOXING about just outside.’
4. (colloquial).—To sham.
1880. One and All, 6 Nov., p. 296, ‘Let us look at these vagabons; maybe they’re only FOXIN’.’ The two men who had received such tangible mementos of the whip-handle and the blackthorn lay perfectly still.
5. (American).—To play truant.
6. (booksellers’).—To stain; to discolour with damp; said of books and engravings. FOXED = stained or discoloured.
1881. C. M. I[NGLEBY] in Notes and Queries (6th S., iv., 96). Tissue paper harbours damp, and in a damp room will assuredly help to FOX the plates which they face.
1885. A. DOBSON, At the Sign of the Lyre, 83. And the Rabelais FOXED and flea’d.
7. (theatrical).—To criticise a ‘brother pro’s’ performance.
8. (common).—To mend a boot by ‘capping’ it.
TO SET A FOX TO KEEP ONE’S GEESE, phr. (common).—To entrust one’s money, or one’s circumstances, to the care of sharpers. Latin, Ovem lupo commisisti.
TO MAKE A FOX PAW, verb. phr. (common).—To make a mistake or a wrong move; specifically (of women) to be seduced. [A corruption of the Fr. faux pas.]
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.
