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 2. (theatrical).—The trick, or habit, of forgetting words.

Fluffy, adj. (common and theatrical.,—Unsteady; of uncertain memory. Cf., Fluffer (sense 2), and Fluffiness (sense 2).

1885. Referee, July 26, p. 3, col. 2. In the last act Groves and one or two others were either what actors call FLUFFY in their lines, or else Mr. Cross was guilty of irritating tautology.

Fluke, subs. (common).—In billiards, an accidental winning hazard; in all games a result not played for; a CROW (q.v.). In yachting an effect of chance; a result in which seamanship has had no part. Hence, a stroke of luck. Sp., bambarria.

1857. Notes and Queries, 2 S. IV., p. 208, col. 1. In playing at billiards, if a player makes a hazard, etc., which he did not play for, it is often said that he made a crow Another term is, 'He made a FLOOK (or FLUKE).

1869. Whyte Melville, M or N, p. 100. 'Only lost a pony on the whole meeting,' answered Dick triumphantly. 'And even that was a FLUKE, because Bearwarden's Bacchante filly was left at the post.

1873. Black. Princess of Thule, ch. xix. 'These conditions are not often fulfilled—it is a happy FLUKE when they are.

1880. Hawley Smart, Social Sinners, ch. xxxii. 'I suppose, by your asking the question, you have become acquainted with Mr. Solamo's past.' 'That's just it, Mr. Prossiter; by an odd FLUKE I have.'

1891. Hume Nisbet, Bail Up! p. 144. He was now being cured only to be hanged, most kely, unless by some happy FLUKE he got off with imprisonment for life.

Verb (common and billiards).—1. To effect by accident.

1888. Sportsman, 20 Dec. Fortune once more assisted Mitchell, who, in trying to make a red loser, FLUKED a cannon, from which he got on the spot, and made forty-three winners in a break of 161.

2.—(schoolboys').—To shirk.

1864. Eton School Days, ch. xvi., p. 203. 'By Jove! I think I shall FLUKE doing Verses; I should like to see Paddy drive tandem through College,' said Butler Burke.

To cut flukes out, verb. phr. (nautical).—To mutiny; to turn sulky and disobedient.

To turn flukes, verb. phr. (nautical).—To go to bed; i.e., TO BUNK (q.v.), or turn in.

Fluky, or Flukey, adj. (common).—Of the nature of a FLUKE (q.v.); i.e., achieved more by good luck than good guidance.

1882. Standard, 3 Sept. Bonnor got a Flukey three to square leg.

1891. Licensed Vict. Gazette, 20 March. Now, Grady was a smart young Irishman who had thrashed Stevens twice in days gone by, and had won a somewhat FLUKEY victory over Young Norley.

Hence Flukiness=abounding in FLUKES.

1886. Ill. Sport. and Dram. News, 20 Feb., p. 579. There is no flukiness about him: he makes his runs because he is an excellent batsman, and takes his wickets because he is an excellent bowler.

Flummadiddle, subs. (American).—1. Nonsense; flummery (q.v.).

2. (nautical).—A sea-dainty.

1884. G. A. Sala, in Ill. London News, July 19, p. 51, col 2. I suppose that when the friendly skippers GAM [q.v.], they feast on FLUMMADIDDLE, a dish composed, I am given to understand, of stale bread, pork fat, molasses, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.

Flummergasted, ppl. adj. (colloquial).—Astonished; confounded. A variant of FLABBERGASTED (q.v.).