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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—F

Flap-dragons

Small combustible bodies blazing at one end and floating in a glass of liquor. The liquor was stirred about with a candle-end to promote combustion. A skilful toper would swallow them blazing, as we swallow the blazing raisins of snap-dragons.

“He drinks off candles' ends for flap-dragons.” —Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV., ii. 4.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

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More on Flap-dragons from Infoplease:

Flap-dragons - Flap-dragons Small combustible bodies blazing at one end and floating in a glass of liquor. The ...
Snap-Dragons - Snap-Dragons (See Flap-Dragon.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 ...
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