A FEW, or JUST A FEW, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Originally (cf., quot., 1778) a little. Hence, by implication, on the lucus a non lucendo principle, considerably; e.g., ‘Were you alarmed?’ ‘No, but I was astonished A FEW!’ i.e., ‘I was greatly surprised.’ Cf., RATHER = a good deal.
1778. BURNEY, Diary, etc., 6 July, vol. I., ch. i., p. 15 (1876). So I trembled A FEW, for I thought, ten to one but he’d say: ‘He?—not he—I promise you!’
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch. xx., p. 173. I appeal to our mutual friend, Smallweed, whether he has or has not heard me remark, that I can’t make him out. Mr. Smallweed bears the concise testimony, A FEW.
