The Phrase 'fin It Down Lad'

honeydip | 08:41 Thu 07th Mar 2013 | Phrases & Sayings

6 Answers

When I was younger me and my brother used to say this with no meaning really just when something funny happens in our youth but now I am wondering where this expression could have originated from. Probably from my Father who spoke broad Barnsley. Has anyone heard this at all?

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Chipchopper

Best Answer

I think this is a very old phrase that dates back to the Anglo French wars. At that time it was law for every man in England to practice archery on the village green on Sundays. 'Fin' refers to the flights, feathers, vane or fletch of an arrow. During practice a man was nominated to retrieve the shot arrows from the targets and to avoid being hit by a stray arrow, he...

21:50 Fri 08th Mar 2013

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RATTER15

Ive never heard it before but would take it to mean "settle down"

Mosaic

It sounds like a comedy catchphrase from the late music hall / early radio era. I best someone on this site can track it down if it is:
http://www.comedy.co.uk/

Old_Geezer

Not sure how one would "fin it down". I can picture someone "thinning it down" though.

Chipchopper

I think this is a very old phrase that dates back to the Anglo French wars.
At that time it was law for every man in England to practice archery on the village green on Sundays.
'Fin' refers to the flights, feathers, vane or fletch of an arrow.
During practice a man was nominated to retrieve the shot arrows from the targets and to avoid being hit by a stray arrow, he would shout 'Fin it down', meaning to point the arrows down to the ground, while he collects the arrows.
So basically it means, be careful or get it right

honeydip

Question Author

Wow well who would have known! Thanks