subs. phr. (old).—A remittance less than was expected; hence, an unsatisfactory account. [Among the Flemings (the merchants of Western Europe when commerce was young) accounts were kept in livres, sols, and pence; but the livre or pound only = 12s., so that what the Antwerp merchant called one livre thirteen and fourpence would in English currency be only 20s.]
1668. T. BROWN, The Accurate Accomptant, etc. Quoted in Notes and Queries, 1. S., I., 286.
London, August 10th, 1668. | |
| To Roger Pace, Factor, &c., for 10 pieces cont. 746 Ells Fl. at 10 S. Flem. per Ell. is 373 l. Flem. | |
| Exchange at 35 S. makes | |
| Sterling Money 213l. 2s. 10d. |
1774–1826. Typographical Antiquities, p. 1773. A person resident in London is said to have had most of Caxton’s publications. He sent them to Amsterdam for inspection, and on writing for them was informed that they had been destroyed by accident. ‘I am very much afraid,’ says Herbert, ‘my kind friend received but a FLEMISH ACCOUNT of his Caxtons.’
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. FLEMISH ACCOUNT, a losing or bad account.
