FLIM-FLAM-FLIRT NOUN a nonsensical speech, a gibe, deceptive nonsense ...1573 ETYMOLOGY ? from flim-flam (n. a piece of nonsense of idle talk), or flim-flam (adj. frivolous, idle, vain, nonsensical), or flam-flirt (int. nonsense) FIRST DOCUMENTED USE 1573 - see EXAMPLE below EXAMPLE "...Then oughst haue ben affraid for thine, now causles dost but square In vain, and flimflam flirts out throwst at them that nothing care. Such talkings Iuno gaue, and heauenly wights with murmor round All sondry cried assents, as first whan blasts begin to sound, With puffs they wag the woods, and tombling blind with soft vprore They nere pronostike winds, and tels the seaman stormes before..." From: The Whole .xii. Bookes of the Aeneidos of Virgill. Whereof the first .ix. and part of the Tenth, were Conuerted into English Meeter by Thomas Phaer Esquire, and the Residue Supplied, and the Whole Worke Together Newly Set Forth by Thomas Twyne, Gentleman - Thomas Twyne
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