Fawney

slang. [a. Irish fáin(n)e ring.]

  1.  A finger-ring.

1812.  J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Fawney, a finger-ring.

1834.  W. H. Ainsworth, Rookwood, III. v., ‘Jerry Juniper’s Chaunt.’

1831.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 423. He wears a stunning fawny on his finger.

  2.  a. = Fawny rig. To go on the fawney: to practise the fawney-rig. b. One who practises the fawney-rig.

1781.  G. Parker, View Society, II. 167. There is a large shop in London where these kind of rings are sold, for the purpose of going on the Fawney. Ibid. The Fawney says, ‘I dare say some poor woman [etc.].’ Ibid. (1789), Life’s Painter, 174. Fawny, an old, stale trick, called ring-dropping.

  3.  Comb., as fawney-dropper, -dropping; fawney-bouncing, selling rings for a pretended wager; fawney-bouncer; fawney-rig (see quot.).

1781.  G. Parker, View Society, II. 166. The Fawney rig.

1823.  Egan, Grose’s Dict. Vulgar Tongue, Fawney rig, a common fraud thus practised:—a fellow drops a brass ring, double gilt, which he picks up before the party meant to be cheated, and to whom he disposes of it for less than its supposed, and ten times more than its real, value.

1851.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 351. I do a little in the Fawney dropping line.

1857.  ‘Ducange Anglicus,’ Vulg. Tongue, 39. Fawney droppers gammon the flats and take the yokels in.

  Hence Fawneyed [-ED²], ringed.

1812.  J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Fawnied or fawney-fam’d, having one or more rings on the finger.

1834.  W. H. Ainsworth, Rookwood, III. v., ‘Jerry Juniper’s Chaunt.’