Flip v.

[Prob. onomatopœic; cf. FILLIP v. Not in Johnson, Todd, or Webster, 1864.]

  1.  trans. To put into motion with a flip or fillip, to ‘shoot’; to toss (a coin) with a flip. Also absol. To flip up (? U.S.): to toss up.

1616.  W. Browne, Brit. Past. II. iii. 200.

1665.  Glanvill, Scepsis Scientifica, xix. 122. When it’s under question, ’twere as good flip cross and pile, as to dispute for’t.

1839.  Thackeray, Major Gahagan, i. She consumed the first three platefuls with a fork and spoon, like a Christian; but as she warmed to her work, the old hag would throw away her silver implements, and dragging the dishes towards her, go to work with her hands, flip the rice into her mouth with her fingers, and stow away a quantity of eatables sufficient for a sepoy company.

1861.  Thornbury, Turner, II. 123. Many men are good-hearted, and yet not sensitive. The fling a poor friend a banknote, but at the same time they hurt him by making a pellet of it, and flipping it into his eye.

1867.  F. Francis, Angling, iii. (1880), 81. Flip a few bits of ground-bait in round about your float.

1879.  N. Y. Tribune, 4 Oct. (Cent. Dict.). The two great men could flip up to see which should have the second place.

1885.  ‘Hugh Conway,’ Family Affair, I. xii. 229. Flipping the ash from his cigarette.

  2.  = FILLIP v. 2.

1594.  Lyly, Moth. Bomb., V. iii.

1676.  D’Urfey, Madam Fickle, V. ii. Tob. Sirra, you shall be hufft and cufft, and flip’d and kick’d, Sirra, if you talk of private Rooms.

a. 1695.  Wood, Life (1848), 188. The scholars hissed, but the townsmen brooking it not, turned them out; then the scholars made some resistance by flipping them on the cheek; after that, in the evening they fought.

  3.  intr. To make a flip or fillip with the fingers. Also quasi-trans. To give a flip with (the finger).

1851.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., xxv. He undergoes so much from such enquiries, that when they are made by boys he revenges himself by flipping at their ears over the counter.

1859.  J. Lang, Wand. India, 34. ‘My heart is as hard as this rock,’ she said, flipping her finger against the granite, ‘to all except one being—a child.’

  4.  trans. To move or throw about with a flip or sudden jerk.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 376, 12 May, ¶ 2. He gives them a particular Behaviour at a Tea-Table, and in presenting their Snuff-Box, to twirl, flip, or flirt a Fan, and how to place Patches to the best advantage, either for fat or lean, long or oval Faces.

1867.  F. Francis, Angling, vi. (1880), 225. After a cast or so the fly gets wet, then, in order to dry it, you must wave your rod backwards and forwards and flip your fly to and fro to shake the water out and so dry it for another cast.

1884.  Leeds Mercury, Wkly. Supp., 15 Nov., 1/6. The carriole-driver … is seated so low that the tail is constantly flipped over the reins.

  5.  intr. To move with a flip or jerk; to step lightly and nimblv.

1863.  Kingsley, Water Bab., 105. He … began flirting and flipping up and down, and singing.

1881.  Blackmore, Christowell, v. Still there were lapses in the vigilance of the brook, where a lady, with her skirts up, might flip through, or even, with a downward run, spring over.

1886.  Science, VII. 19 March, 263/1. When the water had disappeared, eight mackerel were found flipping about the deck.

  6.  trans. To strike smartly and lightly (with a whip, or the like); to flick.

1861.  Pycroft, Agony Point, II. iv. 45. Minnie laughed and flipped her old friend with her glove, and said he must not be too severe upon her.

1863.  W. Barnes, Dorset Dial., 55. Flick or Flip, to snap lightly with a whip.

1866.  R. M. Ballantyne, Shifting Winds, viii. (1881), 76. Taking up his whip with a gentlemanly assumption of ease, and flipping the toe of his boot with it.

  b.  intr. To make a sharp stroke at.

1893.  S. Grand, Heavenly Twins (1894), 332. Twirling his blond moustache with one hand, and viciously flipping at the flowers as he passed with the stick he carried in the other.

  7.  slang. To shoot with a pistol, etc.

1812.  J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Flip, to shoot.

1834.  W. H. Ainsworth, Rookwood, IV. iii. ‘Flip him, Dick—fire or I’m taken,’ cried King. ‘Fire, damn you—why don’t you fire?’