4 OCTOBER 1890, Page 18

" GIVING THE OFFICE."

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,-In an article on " Slang, Jargon, and Cant," you speak of the unsatisfactory explanation of " giving the office." May not " office " be simply the French word avis, an intimation P Avis, pronounced as if it were an English word justas fete becomes "feet "-is not so very far removed from " office."- I am, Sir, &c., CHARLES F. BLACKBURN.