(Also as two words.) [FLASH a.3] a. One who is ‘flash’ or knowing; a companion of thieves; a bully, a ‘fancy-man.’ b. A sporting man; a patron of the ‘ring’; a ‘swell.’
a. 1789. G. Parker, Life’s Painter, 141. A flash-man is a fellow that lives upon the hackneyed prostitution of an unfortunate woman of the town.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple (1863), 235. A large mob was collected in the street, vowing vengeance on us for our treatment of their flash man, and a row was to be expected.
1859. H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, v. ‘You ’re playing a dangerous game, my flash man, whoever you are.’
b. 1812. Sporting Mag. XXXIX. Oct., 21/1. The display of flash-men, from the Peer on the coach-box, to the most gentlemanly-looking pick-pocket, was very complete.
1819. T. Moore Tom Crib’s Mem., 55.
| Instant the Ring was broke, and shouts and yells | |
| From Trojan Flashmen and Sicilian Swells | |
| Fill’d the wide heav’n. |
