E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fig
or Figo. I dont care a fig for you; not worth a fig. Anything at all. Here fig is ficoa fillip or snap of the fingers. Thus we say, I dont care that for you, snapping the fingers at the same time. (Italian, far le fiche, to snap the fingers; French, faire la figue; German, diefeigen weisen; Dutch, de vyghe setten, etc.) (See FICO.)