Another  suggested  derivation  of  the  word  is  that  a  sword  of  good  temper
was  called  a  fox,  from  the  mark  of  a  wolf  (mistaken  for  a  fox)  on  the  cele-
brated blades  of  Passau.    These  last  were  also  called  "wolf-blades."


39fi  HANDY-BOOK  OF


Fnmoe,  Brerything  happeiw  in.    A  hamorous  variation  of  the  old  uw

that  "it  is  always  the  unexpected  that  happens."  The  incident  which  gave  il
birth  occurred  during  the  war  of  Ihe  Fronde.  While  attending  the  Confer-
ence of  Bordeaux  in  1650,  Cardinal  Mazarin  lindine  himself  in  a  Coach  with
three  of  Ihe  Frondisi  leaders,  "  Who  would  have  believed  four  days  ago,"
he  cried,  "  that  we  four  would  to-day  be  riding  in  Ihe  same  carriage  i"    "  Oh,"


Free  to  0OllfeM%  an  ugly  bit  of  iiewpapcr  English  which  has  unforlunalcly
been  incorporated  into  the  language.     Lord  Byron  credits  its  origin  10  the

English  Parliament :

Freese  out.  To,  in  English  and  American  slang,  to  put  out,  or  drive  away,

Sr  a  cold  reserve  and  freezing  hauteur ;  now  used  in  the  larger  sense  of  lo  ex-
ude, and  maite  especially  popular  In  America  through  the  game  of  freeze-

I  called  on  Juc  uid  Muy  Bung,
!  Ihaught  I  wu  bound  w  bliu.
Bui  the  vay  fini  oil  Ihcy  Irart  mt  Dul


And  Fimchi  ibe  ijaIie  ful  fayn  isd  fetiily,

Afwr  the  kdIc  of  Siralford  «ie  bowr,

F«  FrcncbE  of  Pirii  wu  10  bin  uukDowe.
C-inUrhmrj  TaUt,  PmlctM,  I.  111.
