FONDRIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, “cly,” “sky-rocket,” or “brigh.” Termed also “profonde, fouillouse, fouille, four banal, baguenaude.” FONFE, _f._ (thieves’), _snuff-box_, or “sneezer.” FONTAINE, _f._ (popular), n’avoir plus de cresson sur la ----, _to be bald_; _to have_ “a bladder of lard.” FONTS DE BAPTÊME, _m._ (popular), se mettre sur les ----, _to be involved in business from which one would like to back out_. FORAGE, _m._ (thieves’), vol au ----, _robbery from a shop_. A piece of the shutter being cut out, a rod with hook affixed is passed through the aperture, and the property abstracted. FORESQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _tradesman at a fair_. FORET, _m._ (popular), épointer son ----, _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” Foret, properly _drill_, _borer_. With respect to the English slang expression, the _Slang Dictionary_ says the real signification of this phrase is to commit suicide by hanging, from a method planned and carried out by an ostler at an inn on the Great North Road. Standing on a bucket, he tied himself up to a beam in the stable; he then kicked the bucket away from under his feet, and in a few seconds was dead. The natives of the West Indies have converted the expression into “kickeraboo.” (Thieves’) Foret de Mont-rubin, _sewer_. FORÊT-NOIRE, _f._ (thieves’), _a church_, _a temple_. Termed also “entonne, rampante.” FORFANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _bragging_, _big talk_. An abbreviation of forfanterie. FORGERIE, _f._ (popular), _falsehood_, or “cram.” FORT, _adj._ (popular), en mie, _fat_, “crummy;” (familiar) ---- en thème, _clever student_. The expression is sometimes applied ironically to a man who is clever at nothing else than book-work. C’est ---- de café, _it is hard to believe_, _it is_ “coming it too strong.” C’est un pauvre manchot qui s’est approché de la vierge.... Et elle a éternué? Non, c’est le bras du manchot qui a poussé--elle est fort de café, celle-là!--=E. MONTEIL.= FORTANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _fortune_. FORTIFES, _f. pl._ (popular), _fortifications round Paris_. A favourite resort for workmen who go for an outing, and a place which vagabonds patronize at night. J’ couch’ que’qu’fois dans les fortifes; Mais on s’enrhum’ du cerveau. L’lend’main, on fait l’chat qui r’niffe, Et l’blair coul’comme un nez d’veau. =RICHEPIN.= FORTIFICATION, _f._ (popular), _cushion of a billiard table_. Etre protégé par les fortifications, _to have one’s ball under the cushion_. FORTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _pepper_. From fort, _strong_. FORTINIÈRE, _f.._ (thieves’), _pepper-box_. FOSSE AUX LIONS, _f._ (familiar), _box at the opera occupied by men of fashion_. FOSSILE, _m._ (literary), _a disrespectful epithet for the learned members of the Académie Française_. FOU, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), abbreviation of foutu, _lost_, _done for_. FOUAILLER (familiar and popular), _to miss one’s effect_; _to be lacking in energy_; _to back out_; _to fail in business_, “to go to smash.”