FAST AND LOOSE, a cheating game played at fairs by gypsies and sharpers. A strap, usually in the form of a belt, is rolled or doubled up with a loop in the centre, and laid edgewise on a table. The showman then bets that the loop cannot be caught with a stick or skewer as he unrolls the belt. As this looks to be easy to do the bet is often taken, but the sharper unrolls the belt in such a manner as to make the catching of the loop prac tically impossible. Cf. Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (iv. 1 2) .
Like a right gipsy, bath, at fast and loose, Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
From this game is taken the colloquial expression, "To play fast and loose."