subs. (common).—1. The arm; also the hand. [Fr., nageoire, but for synonyms, see DADDLE. TO TIP THE FIN = to shake hands.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. FIN, an arm.
1836. M. SCOTT, The Cruise of the Midge, p. 116. I wagged my head at this one, and nodded to another, and salaam’d with my FINS with all the grace of a wounded turtle, to a third.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, ch. xxxvii., p. 323. ‘Smauker, my lad, your FIN,’ said the gentleman with the cocked hat. Mr. Smauker dovetailed the top joint of his right hand little ringer into that of the gentleman with the cocked hat, and said he was charmed to see him looking so well.
1844. Puck, p. 134.
| The sun shines fair in Carey Street, | |
| And eke in Lincoln’s Inn, | |
| When Brown and Johnson gaily meet | |
| And shake the friendly FIN. |
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. lv. The young surgeon … succeeded in getting the General’s dirty old hand under what he called his own FIN.
1850. F. E. SMEDLEY, Frank Fairlegh, p. 152. I’ll drive you there instead; it will be belter for your scorched FIN (pointing to my injured arm), than jolting about outside a horse.
2. Also FINN or FINNIE.—See FINNUP.
Intj.—See FAIN.
