Fopping ton

( Lord ),an empty-headed coxcomb, intent only on dre and fashion. His favorite oaths, which he brings out with a drawl, are: “Strike me dumb!” “Split my windpipe!” and so on. When he loses his mistre , he consoles himself with this reflection: “Now, for my part, I think the wisest thing a man can do with an aching heart is to put on a serene countenance; for a philosphical air is the most becoming thing in the world to the face of a person of quality.”—Sir John Vanbrugh, The Relapse (1697). The shoemaker in The Relapse tells Lord Fopping ton that his lordship is mistaken in supposing that his shoe pinches.—Macaulay. Fopping ton ( Lord ), a young married man about town, most intent upon dre and fashion, whose whole life is consumed in the follies of play and seduction. His favorite oaths are: “Sun, burn me!” “Curse, catch me!” “Stop my breath!” “Let me blood!” “Run me through!” “Strike me stupid!” “Knock me down!” He is reckoned the king of all court fops.—Colley Cibber, The Carele Husband (1704). Fopping ton ( Lord ), elder brother of Tom Fashion. A selfish coxcomb, engaged to be married to Mi Hoyden, daughter of Sir Tunbelly Clumsy, to whom he is personally unknown. His brother Tom, to whom he did not behave well, resolved to outwit him; and pa ing himself off as Lord Fopping ton, got introduced to the family, and married the heire . When his lordship appeared, he was treated as an impostor, till Tom explained his ruse; and Sir Tunbelly, being snubbed by the coxcomb, was soon brought to acquiesce in the change, and gave his hand to his new son-in-law with cordiality. The favorite oaths of Lord Fopping ton are: “Strike me dumb!” “Strike me ugly!” “Stap my vitals!” “Split my windpipe!” “Rat me!”, etc.; and, in speaking, his affectation is to change the vowel “o” into a , as rat , naw , resalve , waurld , ardered , manth , paund , maunth , lang , phil a sap her , tarture , and so on.—Sheridan, A Trip to Scar borough (1777). ⁂ This comedy is The Relapse , slightly altered and curtailed.