Fig

Full fig. Full dress. A corruption of the Italian in fiocʹchi (in gala costume). It was derived from the tassels with which horses were ornamented in state processions. Thus we read in Miss Knight’s Autobiography, “The Pope’s throne was set out for mass, and the whole building was in perfect fiocchi” (in full fig). Another etymology has been suggested by a correspondent in Notes and Queries, that it is taken from the word full fig. (figure) in fashion books.