Vickipedia

FAST AND LOOSE’ is the name of a cheating game, also called Priding at the Belt, which appears to have been much practised by the gypsies in the time of Shakspeare. The following is a _r description : ‘ A leathern belt is made up into a number of intricate folds, and placed edgewise upon a table. One of the folds is made to resemble the middle of a girdle, so that whoever shall thrust a skewer into it would think he held it fast to the table; whereas, when he has so done, the person with whom he plays may take hold of both ends, and draw it away.’ The game is still practised at fairs, races, and similar meetings under the name of Prick the Garter ; the original phrase, ‘ Fast and loose,’ however, is now used to designate the conduct of those numerous slippery characters whose code of ethics does not forbid them to say one thing and do another.