Demystifying the Obscure Slang Term "Flu Flam"

Demystifying the Meaning of "Flu Flam"

You may have heard someone accuse another person of trying to "flu flam" them. Or maybe you've seen the phrase used in books, film, or music lyrics. But what exactly does flu flam mean? This unusual expression has murky origins but a clear modern usage. Let's unpack the covert meaning behind this bit of obscure slang.

The Possible Origins

There are a few theories about where "flu flam" came from. One states it derived from the French words "faux flan" meaning "false flan." Flan is a baked custard dessert popular in France. Accusing someone of a "false flan" implied they were not what they seemed.

Another origin traces it back to Elizabethan times. "Flim flam" first appeared in print in the 1600s referring to a confidence trick or scam. It may have evolved from earlier terms like "flem flem" and "flim lamb." The reference to deceit and trickery fits how we use it today.

"Flimflam" emerged as a slang verb meaning to swindle or cheat someone. Adding the "u" in flu flam seemed to intensify the deception. However, the precise origin remains uncertain. What's clear is that it pointed to fraudulent behavior.

Flu Flam as a Noun

As a noun, "flu flam" refers to active deception, tricks, frauds or scams. For example:

• "Don't trust his promises - it's all flu flam."
• "She engaged in flu flams to get people's money."
• "The company was fined for flu flams involving false advertising."

It's often used to indicate that what someone says cannot be believed or trusted. Their words are aimed at misleading to gain something through elaborate stories, fake promises, and calculated lies. It suggests a deliberately crafted trickery.

Flu Flam as a Verb

As a verb, to "flu flam" means to intentionally deceive, scam, cheat, or swindle someone. For example:

• "He flu flammed investors out of millions."
• "She was flu flammed by a fake IRS call demanding payment."
• "The salesman tried to flu flam me but I didn't fall for it."

It usually implies the person had a thought-out plan to mislead the victim and gain something through this ruse. The flu flam is executed strategically, not just a simple misunderstanding or accidental misrepresentation.

Flu Flam as an Adjective

The term "flu flam" can also be an adjective to describe something or someone intended to deceive. For example:

• "His credentials were flu-flam and not actually from that university."
• "This sounds like a flu-flam rumor meant to discredit her."
• "The defendant carried out a flu-flam operation to steal identities."

Using it this way emphasizes that the intention and very nature of the person, idea or scheme is fundamentally misleading, fraudulent and untruthful.

Similar Slang Terms

"Flu flam" belongs to a category of slang words implying tricks and nonsense:

• Hokum - Nonsense or empty talk.
• Baloney - Nonsense or gibberish.
• Mumbo jumbo - Absurd language or ritual.
• Hooey - Silly ideas or writing.
• Bunkum - Meaningless claptrap.

Like these words, flu flam conveys that someone is trying to pull one over on you. Their words can't be taken seriously because they are calculated to misrepresent the truth.

Using Flu Flam in a Sentence

Because "flu flam" is slang, it's best used in casual contexts like everyday speech rather than formal writing. Here are some examples of how to use it properly in a sentence:

• Noun: "Don't believe his flu flam about making big money with no effort."
• Verb: "He flu flammed the elderly couple into giving him money for home repairs he never did."
• Adjective: "The politician got caught telling some flu-flam stories to cover up his misuse of funds."

You can see that in each case, the core meaning relates to intentional dishonesty and deception. The context make it clear that "flu flam" is painting someone or something as misleading and non-credible.

Flu Flam in Literature and Song Lyrics

While not extremely common, "flu flam" has made appearances in books, plays, songs and more. Here are some examples where authors incorporated this colorful bit of slang:

Literature

In James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses, one character accuses another of giving him the "flu flam on the quiet." This implied he was being secretly deceived and scammed by the other person's words.

Truman Capote used it in his 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany's. The narrator refers to a "flu-flam boy" who would say anything, truthful or not, to achieve his ends and get ahead.

Ken Kesey's famous 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest features a character who uses "flu-flam" as a verb, as in "Don't try to flu-flam me." Again conveying the idea of being tricked.

Stage and Screen

In a 1945 Broadway play The Red Mill, one character responds to a far-fetched story by saying "This fluflam has gone far enough!" expressing disbelief in what they were told.

The 1934 film Bedside used the term when a character realizes she is being conned, exclaiming "Well, of all the flu-flams!" at being deliberately misled by another person's lies.

In the 1941 Marx Brothers movie The Big Store, Groucho Marx calls another character's elaborate tale a "big flu flam" indicating he thought it was totally made up nonsense.

Music

Jazz and blues musicians in the 1930s-40s occasionally worked "flu flam" into lyrics about being deceived in relationships. Ida Cox sang about a man who "fluflammed and bamboozled" her in 1938's "You Flim Flammed Me."

R&B singer Roy Brown's 1947 blues song "Mighty Mighty Man" described a boastful man whose exploits were likely "all flu flam," implying they were exaggerated stories.

The 1957 calypso song "Don't Blame Me" by Lord Melody includes the line "You didn't have to flu flam me" about being sweet talked then cheated on by his lover.

Flu Flam in Modern Usage

While "flu flam" isn't as prevalent today, you can still find it used, especially in Black vernacular. Here are some modern examples of its continued use:

Comedy

The 1990 comedy film House Party features a scene where a character says "Stop flu-flamming!" suggesting the other person is trying to deceive them with flattery before asking for a favor.

On the sitcom Martin, Martin's friend Tommy often used "flu-flamming" to mean lying, as in "Don't try flu-flamming me!" when he sensed someone's story didn't add up.

In her stand up act, comedian Amanda Seales described poorly made pancakes at a hotel as "flu-flammin'" indicating the food was totally unacceptable and misleadingly portrayed on the menu.

Music

The 2017 song "FluFlamming" by rapper Tee Grizzley uses the term flu flamming to mean disrespecting someone. The lyrics warn about consequences for flu flamming the narrator.

Beyoncé featured the lyric "Your flu flamming is denial" in her 2016 song "Hold Up" implying she can see through a partner's lies and empty words.

The hip hop group De La Soul's 1989 song "Potholes in My Lawn" includes the line "Your flu flamming plots, I'll upset" suggesting they are calling out deceitful schemes.

Online Usage

On social media, flu flam is often used to call out misleading hype, exaggerated claims, or flat-out scams. For example:

• "This new diet sounds like flu flam - don't waste your money."
• "The CEO's statement about caring for employees is just flu flam PR talk."
• "Don't get flu flammed by these fake cryptocurrency apps promising fast cash."

As you can see, flu flam maintains its core meaning of deceit and trickery in modern slang. While not as common today, it still conveys skepticism in a colorful way.

Key Takeaways

In summary, here are some key facts about the slang term "flu flam":

• Its murky origins may trace back to 1600s England.
• It refers to intentional deception, dishonesty and trickery.
• Can be used as a noun, verb or adjective.
• Belongs to a slang category about nonsense and absurdity.
• Found in old blues songs, classic literature and film.
• Still used today, especially in Black slang contexts.
• Signals someone's words or claims are misleading or non-credible.

So next time you hear allegations of "flu flamming," you'll know it means accusing someone of calculated lies and strategic deception. This colorful bit of slang conveys skepticism and disbelief about another's intentions and stories in a vivid way.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.