Flat-cap, subs. (old).—A nickname for a citizen of London. [In Henry
the Eight’s time flat round caps were the pink of fashion; but when
their date was out, they became ridiculous. The citizens continued to
wear them long after they were generally disused, and were often
satirized for their fidelity].
1596. Ben Jonson, Every Man in H., ch. ii., v. 1. Mock me all over
From my flat-cap unto my shining shoes.
1602. Dekker, Honest Whore. Old Plays, iii., 304. Come, Sirrah, you
flat-cap, where be those whites?
1605. Marston, Dutch Court, ii., 1. Wealthy flat-caps that pay for
their pleasure the best of any men in Europe.
1613. Beaumont and Fletcher, Hon. Man’s Fort., v. 3. Trade? to the
city, child: a flat-cap will become thee.
Flat-cock, subs. (old).—A female. [Grose, 1785.] For synonyms, see
Petticoat.
Flat-feet, subs. (common).—Specifically the Foot Guards, but also
applied to other regiments of the line. Also (generally with some
powerful adjective), applied to militia men to differentiate them from
linesmen. For synonyms, see Mud-crusher.
Flat-fish, (generally, a regular flat-fish) subs. (common).—A dullard.
[A play upon flat = stupid, and Fish = something to hook or catch.] For
synonyms, see Buffle, Cabbage-Head, and Sammy-Soft. Cf., Fr., platpied
= a contemptible fellow.
Flat-footed, adj. (American).—Downright; resolute; honest. [Western:
the simile, common to most languages, is of a man standing, his back to
the wall, resolute to accomplish his purpose.]
1858. Harper’s Magazine, Sept. His herculean frame, and bold,
flat-footed way of saying things, had impressed his neighbours, and
he held the rod in terrorism over them.
1871. Philadelphia Bulletin, Mar. 23. ‘The row at St. Clement’s
Church.’ Now the Committee of the vestry put their foot flatly down
on auricular confession and priestly absolution.
1887. R. A. Proctor, Knowledge, June 1. When, in America, General
Grant said he had put his foot down and meant to advance in that
line if it took him all the summer, he conveyed ... the American
meaning of the expression flat-footed.
Flat-head, subs. (American).—A greenhorn; a sammy-soft (q.v.).
Flat-iron, subs. (common).—A corner public house. [From the triangular
shape.]
Flattie or Flatty, subs. (common).—A gull. [A diminutive of flat, sense
1.] Formerly ‘cheap-jacks’ = one in a new ‘pitch.’
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 232. They
betray to the flatties (natives) all their profits and proceedings.
Flat-move, subs. (old).—An attempt or project that miscarries; folly
and mismanagement generally.—Grose.
Flats, subs. (old). 1. Playing cards. For synonyms, see King’s Books.
1821. Haggart, Life, p. 56. We played at flats in a budging-crib.