flea-flicker (1911)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

    On the Jets' second possession, their offensive coordinator,
    Paul Hackett, called a flea flicker.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/sports/football/09jets.html

A flea-flicker is "any of various deceptive football plays in which the
ball is quickly transferred between players (as by a lateral) before or
after a forward pass" (W10).  HDAS relies on W10 for a first cited date of
1927.

The HDAS cites, Proquest, and Google all suggest that the "flea-flicker"
was invented by Bob Zuppke, who coached Chicago's Oak Park High School
team before becoming head coach at the University of Illinois in 1913.

    http://www.coachz.net/B.Zuppke.htm
    Zuppke will always be known for having one of football's greatest
    minds. He invented the huddle, the flea-flicker, the screen pass,
    the pass-block, the long snap and a new defensive position now
    known as the 'linebacker.'

Earliest cites from the Trib:

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1911 _Chicago Daily Tribune_ 19 Nov. C1/6 All the intricate formations
Coach Zuppkee [sic] ever evolved were used with effect. The famous "flea
flicker," "whoa-back," and other uncanny formations worked with much
success.
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1911 _Chicago Daily Tribune_ 3 Dec. B2/1 A famous "flea flicker" went bad
but Oak Park recovered.
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1913 _Chicago Daily Tribune_ 2 Nov. B3/5 Oak Park's "Ghee Haw," "Flea
Flicker," and "Flying Dutchman" plays were a revelation to the effete east
and Everett was beaten 32 to 14. The "Ghee Haw," which received its name
as a pun because originally it centered around Ghee, present quarterback
at Dartmouth, was a double pass and then a forward pass, while the "Flea
Flicker" called for three passes before the long forward pass.
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--Ben Zimmer