from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flash \Flash\, a.
1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar;
as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
[1913 Webster]
2. Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly
pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; --
applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes
that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry.
[1913 Webster]
{Flash house}, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves
and whores; hence, a brothel. "A gang of footpads,
reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house."
--Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]