[ad. F. fiche (of same meaning; also peg), f. ficher to fix: see FICCHE v.]
A small flat piece of bone or ivory used instead of money or for keeping account in games of chance; sometimes made in the form of a fish.
Popularly confused with FISH sb.1; hence the collective sing. is used for pl.
1728. Vanbr. & Cib., Prov. Husb., I. i. I am now going to a party at Quadrille … to piddle with a little of it [money], at poor two guineas a fish.
1751. Eliza Haywood, Betsy Thoughtless, I. 230. She was just going to call for the cards and fishes.
1766. C. Anstey, Bath Guide, viii. 90.
| Industrious Creatures! that make it a Rule | |
| To secure half the Fish while they manage the Pool. |
1816. Sporting Mag., XLVII. 297. A notorious gamester … at a game of loo, accumulated a large quantity of fish.
1825. Hone, Every-day Bk., I. 91. Each well supplied with mother-o’-pearl fish and counters, in little Chinese ornamented red and gold trays.
1878. H. H. Gibbs, Ombre (2 ed.), 9. A penny a fish will be found sufficiently high play, and some will prefer to play at the rate of five fish a penny.
