The Phrase 'fin It Down Lad'

[honeydip]

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?

[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]

Wow well who would have known! Thanks

[boxtops]

chipchopper, that's really interesting!