or disease, fever, etc., subs. phr. (common).—Sometimes CLAP (q.v.), but more generally and correctly syphilis, Morbus Gallicus, especially with older writers. For synonyms, see LADIES’ FEVER. Also THE FRENCHMAN. FRENCH POX = a very bad variety of syphilis. The French themselves always refer to the ailment as the mal de Naples, for which see MARSTON (1598) and his ‘Naples canker,’ and FLORIO (1598), mal di Napoli = French pocks. Cf., SHAKESPEARE, Henry V., v. 1. ‘News have I that my Nell is dead i’ the spital Of malady of France.’
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Lue, a plague …. It is also used for the FRENCH POXE.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie. Mal de Naples, the FRENCH POCKS.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v.
1740. Poor Robin. Some gallants will this month be so penurious that they will not part with a crack’d groat to a poor body, but on their cockatrice or punquetto will bestow half a dozen taffety gowns, who in requittal bestows on him the FRENCH POX.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. He suffered by a blow over the snout with a French faggot-stick; i.e., he lost his nose by the POX.
