Chapter 16

Gone,adj.(colloquial).—1. Ruined; totally undone. Also,adv., an expression of completeness,e.g.,Gone beaver,corbie,coon,gander, orgoose= a man or an event past praying for:Cf.,Go upandGo down.1604.Shakspeare,Winter’s Tale, iv., 3. He must know ’tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we aregoneelse.[176]1843–4.Haliburton,Sam Slick in England, ch. xviii. If a bear comes after you, Sam, you must be up and doin’, or it’s agone goosewith you.1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 40. From that moment he wasgone beaver; he felt queer, he said, all over.1857.Notes and Queries, 2 S. iii., 519. To call a person agone corbie, is only to say in other words, it’s all up with him.1862.Clough,Poems. He had been into the schools; plucked almost; all but agone-coon.1863.C. Reade,Hard Cash, I., 178. I shall meet her again next week; will you come? Any friend of mine is welcome. Wish me joy, old fellow; I’m agone coon.Gone on,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Enamoured of; infatuated with;mashed on(q.v.);sweet on(q.v.). Generally in contempt. Fr.,aimer comme ses petits boyaux. For synonyms,seeSweet on.1887.John Strange Winter,That Imp, p. 44. He was a fine fellow, and no mistake. And wasgone onLady Lorrimor!1890.Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar. p. 10, c. 3. He must have been terriblygone onthis woman.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 113. ‘Poor chap, he’s very fargone,’ thought Jack.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 31. I’ll eat my old boots if she isn’t deadgone on.Goner, (orGones,Gonus, orGoney),subs.(American).—1. A fool; a simpleton. AlsoGauney(q.v.). For synonyms,seeBuffleorCabbage-head.1857.Punch, 31 Jan. But the lark’s when agoneyup with us they shut, As ain’t up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut.1860.Haliburton,Sam Slick, ‘The Season Ticket,’ No. X. ‘It’s only grief, Nabby dear, my heart is broke.’ ‘Is that all, yougoney?’ says she, ‘it’s lucky your precious neck ain’t broke.’a.1871.The Dartmouth, vol. iv. One day I heard a Senior call a fellow agonus. ‘Gonus,’ echoed I, ‘what does that mean?’‘Oh,’ said he, ‘you’re a Freshman, and don’t understand. A stupid fellow, a dolt, a boot-jack, an ignoramus, is here called agonus. All Freshmen,’ he continued gravely, ‘aregonuses.’2. (colloquial).—A person past recovery, utterly ruined, or done for in any way.1876.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain),Tom Sawyer, p. 99. ‘Yes, but she ain’t dead; and, what’s more, she’s getting better too.’ ‘All right, you wait and see. She’s agoner, just as dead sure as Muff Potter’s agoner.’1888.Cincinnati Enquirer.Fortunately, she did not see me, or else I should have been agoner.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 261. ‘Make a noise or follow me, and you’re agoner,’ said Smirk.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 212. A few more of her meddlings and she’s agoner, that’s what she is.Gong(orGong-house),subs.(old).—A privy. For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales. ‘The Parsons Tale’ [Riverside Ed. (1880)], ii., 241. Thise fool wommen, that mowe be likned to a communegong, whereas men purgen hire ordure.Gong-farmer(orGong-man),subs.(old).—An emptier of cesspools; agold-finder(q.v.).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Curadestri, a iakes,goong, or doong farmer.Gonof(orGonnoforGonophorGnof),subs.(thieves’).—1. A thief; specifically a pick-pocket, and especially an adept. [From the Hebrew. Ancient English; a legacy from the old time Jews. It came into use again with the moderns who employ it commonly.Cf.,gonov= thief in Ex. xxii, 2 and 6, viz., ‘if thegonovbe found.’]SeeThieves.1857.Dickens,On Duty with Inspector Field, in ‘Reprinted Pieces’ p. 256. If the smallestgonophabout town were crouching at the bottom of a classic bath Inspector Field would nose him.[177]1849.Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov. A burglar would not condescend to sit among pickpockets. My informant has known a housebreaker to say with a sneer, when requested to sit down with thegonoffs, ‘No, no, I may be a thief, but at least I’m a respectable one.’1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 325. Thegonaff(a Hebrew word signifying a young thief, probably learnt from the Jew ‘fences’ in the neighbourhood).1852.Judson,Myst., etc., of New York, ch. vii. He next assumed his present profession, and became agnofor pickpocket.1876.Hindley,Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 146. Oh, you tief! you cheat! yougonnof!1889.Referee, 12 May.Gonophs… were frequent in Tattersall’s on Friday.1889.C. T. ClarksonandJ. Hall Richardson,Police, p. 321. Boys who creep into houses.… Young gunneffs orgonophs.2. (old).—A bumpkin; a churl; a clumsy hand; a shameless simpleton.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales, 3187–8. Whilom there was, dwelling in Oxenforde, A richgnof, that gertes helde to borde.c.1547.Song(quoted by Hotten). The countrygnoffes, Hob, Dick, and Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon, Shall fill up Dussin Dale With slaughtered bodies soone.Verb(old).—To wheedle; to cheat; to steal.Gonophing,subs.(thieves’).—Picking pockets.1857.Dickens,The Detective Police, in ‘Reprinted Pieces,’ p. 240. From the swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics of cracksmen, fences … designing young people who go outgonophing, and other ‘schools.’Gooby,subs.(common).—A simpleton; a blockhead. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. Why, you oldgooby, Mister Sloper will pay us twice as much for the ducks.Good!subs.(printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’Adj.(colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’;e.g., He isgoodfor any amount. Also, expert.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 3. Antonio is agoodman: my meaning in saying that he is agoodman, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.1824.Reynolds,Peter Corcoran, 91Goodwith both hands and only ten stone four.Good goods,in. pl.,subs. phr.(sporting).—Something worth trying for; a success. In the superlative, ‘best’goods.1886.Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4. He was a nice young man for a small tea party, And rathergood goodsat a Sunday-school treat.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 39.There’sWarner in ‘Drink’; now, that’s business,good goodsand no error.Bit(orPiece)of Goods,subs. phr.(common).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Good old…adj. phr.(popular).—A familiar address, derisive or affectionate according to circumstances.Seequots.1891.Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘Good old Mary Anne!’!!!Ibid.The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and, sniffing in the smoke, cried,good old London. This is a true story.Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin … rouses mirth by … exclaiminggood old spot!as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds painted over his right optic.[178]1892.Chevalier‘The Little Nipper.’ ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’ And ’is father ‘good oldpally,’ And ’e only stands about so ’igh, that’s all!To feel good,verb. phr.(American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.1887.Proctor[inKnowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to accept it by the plea that it would make himfeel good.1888.Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday afternoon, and the menfeelprettygoodbefore they come abroad.To be in one’s good books,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To be in favour; in good opinion. Conversely,To be in one’s bad books= To be in disfavour.SeeBook.Good at it(orat the Game),adj. phr.(venery).—An expert bedfellow, male or female.To have a good swim.—SeeSwim.For good(orFor good and all),adv. phr.(colloquial).—Completely; entirely; finally.1673.Wycherley,Gent. Danc. Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I went, I would gofor good and all.1693.Congreve,Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3.Sharp.Faith, e’en give her overfor good and all: you can have no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.1875.Ouida,Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up to the hills with Bruno, and stayed therefor good and all.Good as Wheat.—SeeWheat.Good as ever pissed,phr.(venery).—A qualification of extreme excellence.1719.Durfey,Pills,etc., ii., 260. And she isas goodfor the gameas e’er pissed.Good as a Play.—SeePlay.Good as Gold,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.As good as they make ’em.—SeeMake ’em.Good-bye, John!phr.(American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.Good cess,subs. phr.(Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of ‘success.’)Bad Cess= the reverse.1845.Buckstone,Green Bushes, i., 1.All.Bravo, Paddy!Good cessto ye, Paddy! Hurrah!Goodfellow(orGood Boy, orGood Man),subs.(old).—1. A roysterer; a boon companion.1570.Ascham,Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been agood fellowin his youth.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Good Fellow, a Pot companion or Friend of the Bottle.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports, according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer; at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though but rarely, a virtuous man.1822.Scott,Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is agood boy.2. (old).—A thief.SeeThieves.1608.Middleton,Trick to Catch the Old One, ii., 1.Luc.Welcome,good fellow.Host.He calls me thief at first sight. [Footnote in ‘Mermaid Series’ Ed.Good fellowwas then the cant term for a thief.][179]1870.Evening Standard, 11 Feb. ‘Police Report.’ Police detective said that he believed the two prisoners weregood men. In reply to the magistrate he explained that he meant they were old thieves.Good Girl(orGood One),adj. phr.(old).—A wanton.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Gaultière—A whore, punke, drab, queane, gill, flirt, strumpet, cockatrice, mad wench, common hackney,good one.Goodman,subs.(old).—1. A gaoler; adubsman(q.v.).1721–2.Woodrow,History, ii., 636. Thegoodmanof the Tolbooth came to him in his chamber, and told him he might save his life, if he would sign the petition.2. (colloquial).—The devil. For synonyms,seeSkipper.Goodman-turd,subs.(old).—A contemptible fellow; abad-egg(q.v.).1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes.Dometa, an old worde for a shitten fellow, orgoodman-turde.Good Night!intj. phr.(general).—A retort to an incredible statement or a delightful piece of news.SeeCarry me out!Good-people,subs.(old colloquial).—The fairies.1828.G. Griffin,Collegians, ch. v. An nothin’ shows itself now by night, neither spirits norgood people.1848.Forster,Oliver Goldsmith, bk. I., ch. 1, p. 8 (5th ed.). A small old parsonage house (supposed afterwards to be haunted by the fairies, orgood peopleof the district).1891.R. L. Stevenson,Kidnapped, p. 168. ‘Did ever ye hear tell of the story of the Man and theGood People?’—by which he meant the fairies.Good(orGood Old)Sort,subs. phr.(popular).—A man of social and other parts.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 149. Had we not better make a clean breast of it, and trust to his generosity; he seems agood sort?Good Thing,subs. phr.(colloquial).—Something worth having or backing; abon mot;good goods(q.v.). In racing a presumedcert(q.v.).1844.Puck, p. 63. Here’s to thegood thingwhose neatness we prize.1884.Saturday Review, 2 Aug., p. 147, c. 2. The Goodwood Stakes was considered agood thingfor Florence, who has proved herself to be an extraordinary mare.1888.Sporting Life, 10 Dec. In a field of four, Livingstone, who was voted agood thing, was served up a warm favourite.1891.Daily Telegraph, 21 Mar. It had been generally anticipated that this was agood thingfor Oxford.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. That them as trades in rags and bones Makes more than them as writesgood things.Good Time,subs. phr.(old).—A carouse; a friendly gathering; an enjoyable bout at anything.To have a good time,verb. phr.(old).—To be fortunate or lucky; to enjoy oneself; to make merry.SeeCocum.1596.Jonson,Every Man in His Humour, i., 2. As not ten housewives pewter, again agood time, shews more bright to the world than he! [= some festival, ‘when housewives are careful to set out their furniture to the best advantage.’—Note by Whalley, given in Cunningham’s Gifford’sJonson(1870)].1863.A. Trollope,Rachel Ray, ii., 6., 109. Eating cake and drinking currant wine, but not having, on the whole, what our American friends call agood timeof it.1864.Yates,Broken to Harness, ch. xxxviii. And what have you been doing? Had agood time?1883.Bret Harte,In the Carquinez Woods, ch. ix. But we must keep it dark until after I marry Nellie, don’t you see. Then we’ll have agood timeall round, and I’ll stand the drinks.[180]1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 14. My idea of man’s chief end was to enrich the world with things of beauty, and have a fairlygood timemyself while doing so.Good ’un,subs. phr.(colloquial).—1. A man, woman, or thing of decided and undoubted merit.Cf.,Good-girl.1828–45.T. Hood,Poems, vi., p. 254 [ed. 1846]. Agood ’unto look at but bad to go.1854.MartinandAytoun,Bon Gaultier Ballads. ‘The Dirge of a Drinker.’ Like agood ’unas he is.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 160. He’s a realgood un, and when his party plank the stuff down it’s generally a moral.2. (colloquial).—An expression of derisive unbelief:e.g., a lie.SeeWhopper.Good-wooled,adj. phr.(American).—Of unflinching courage; of the greatest merit; thoroughly dependable.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Goody,subs.(popular).—1. A matron: the correllative ofgoodman= husband. (Used likeauntie, andmother, andgammer, in addressing or describing an inferior.) (A corruption ofgood-wife).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Mona, … Also a nickname for women as we say gammer,goodie, goodwife, such a one.1689.Accts. of the Churchwardens of Sprowston.PaidgoodyCrabbin for washing the surplis and church powrch, 1s.3d.d.1732.Gay.Swarm’d on a rotten stick the bees I spy’d Which erst I saw whengoodyDopon dy’d.d.1745.Swift.Plaingoodywould no longer down: ’Twas Madam in her grogram gown.1802.Bloomfield,Rural Tales, ‘Richard and Kate.’ Come,Goody, stop your humdrum wheel.1816.Johnson,Eng. Dict.s.v. A low term of civility used to mean persons.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Witches’ Frolic.’ OldGoodyPrice, Had got something nice.HenceGoodyship= ‘ladyship.’1663.Butler,Hudibras, pt. 1, c. 3. The more shame for hergoodyship, To give so near a friend the slip.2. (colloquial).—A religious hypocrite, male or female; the ‘unco guid’ of Burns.1836.Kidd,London Ambulator, p. 14. Clapham is celebrated forgoodies—ladies of a certain age, who not having succeeded in finessing for husbands, betake themselves to a religious life as adernier resort.Hencegoody-goodyism= sentimental piety.1892.Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Nov., p. 3., c. 1. The Christmas tale of adventure … has perhaps cast off its element ofgoody-goodyism, but the general features and cast are as of old.3. generallyin. pl.(colloquial).—Sweetmeats; bon-bons; cakes and buns.1853.Mayhew,Letters Left at a Pastrycook’s. Propped up on each side with bags of oranges, cakes, andgoodies.1855.H. A. Murray,Lands of the Slave and the Free, ch. xii. Adjourning from time to time to some café for the purpose of eating ices or suckinggoodies.4. (American).—The kernel of a nut.Adj.(colloquial).—Well-meaning but petty; officiously pious.Alsogoody-goody.1864.D. W. Thompson,Daydreams of a Schoolmaster, p. 230. I would rather they were not too good; orgoody. Let us have a little naughtiness, sprinkled in at intervals.1892.S. Watson,Wops the Waif, p. 7. He knew well enough the whole of this enterprise had sprung from agoody-goodyidea of ‘doing something,’ born of impulse and whim.Goodyear,subs.(old).—The pox. (A corruption of gougeer, fromgouge= a soldier’s trull). For synonyms,seeLadies’ Fever.1605.Shakspeare,Lear, v., 3. Thegoodyearsshall devour them.[181]Gook,subs.(American).—A low prostitute. For synonyms,seeBarrack HackandTart.Goose,subs.(common).—1. A tailor’s smoothing iron. (Whose handle is shaped like the neck of the bird.) Hence the old ditton, ‘A taylor be he ever so poor is sure to have a goose at his fire.’—Grose.Fr.,un gendarme.1606.Shakspeare,Macbeth, ii., 3. Come in, taylor; here you may roast yourgoose.1606.Dekker,Newes from Hell, in Wks. (Grosart) ii., 114. Every man being armed with his sheeres and pressing Iron, which he calls there hisgoose.1638.Randolph,Hey for Honesty. …Tailor.Oh! it is an age that, like the Ostrich, makes me feed on my owngoose.1703.Ward,London Spy, pt. xii., p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher’sgoose.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Goose(s.) … also the large, heavy iron used by taylors, to press down their seams with when heated very hot.1766.Kenrick,Falstaff’s Wedding, iii., 1. Although they had been hissing all the way like a tailor’sgoose.1861.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has had a slight dispute with his wife the night before, and has corporeally chastised her with a hotgoose—a tailor’sgoose, be it understood—to the extent of all but fracturing her skull.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the warders from their own breakfast, the tools—scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, orgeese—are served out.2. (common).—A simpleton: usually only of women. AlsoGoosecap(q.v.).1591.Shakspeare,Romeo and Juliet, ii., 4.Mercutio.Was I there with you for thegoose?Rom.Thou wast never with me that thou wast not for thegoose.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.3. (venery).—SeeWinchester Goose.4. (colloquial).—A reprimand; awigging(q.v.);cf.,verb, sense 1.1865.G. F. Berkeley,My Lifeetc., i., 276. On the adventure reaching the ears of the Duke of Wellington, the active experimentalist received considerablegoose.5. (printers’).—SeeWayz goose.6. (colloquial).—A woman: whence, by implication, the sexual favour.Verb.(common).—1. To hiss; to condemn by hissing. Alsoto get the gooseorthe big bird(q.v.). Among Fr. equivalents are:appelerorsiffler Azor(= to whistle a dog, Azor being a common canine appellation);boire une goutte(= to be goosed);attrapper;reconduire;se faire travailler;empoigner;éreinter;polisonner;égayer.1854.Dickens,Hard Times, ch. vi. He wasgoosedlast night, he wasgoosedthe night before last, he wasgoosedto-day.1858.Dickens,Xmas Stories(Going into Soc.), p. 67 (House. Ed.). Which makes you grind your teeth at him to his face, and which can hardly hold you fromgoosinghim audible when he’s going through his War-Dance.1873.Hornet, 29 Jan., p. 211, c. 2.Ferdin.Fact! My soul is sick on’t.Goosedlast night; My salary docked.1875.T. Frost,Circus Life, p. 281. Anartisteisgoosed, orgets the goose, when the spectators or auditors testify by sibillant sounds disapproval or dissatisfaction.1886.Graphic, 10 Apr., p. 399. To begoosed, or, as it is sometimes phrased, ‘to get the big bird,’ is occasionally a compliment to the actor’s power of representing villainy, but more often is disagreeably suggestive of a failure to please.2. (colloquial).—To ruin; to spoil.SeeCook one’s goose.[182]1888.Cassell’s Saturday Journal, 22 Dec., p. 301. We was pretty nighgoosed.3. (cobblers’).—To mend boots by putting on a new front half-way up, and a new bottom; elsewhere calledfootingboots.Cf.,Fox.4. (venery).—To go wenching; towomanize(q.v.).5. (venery).—To possess a woman.Goose Without Gravy,subs. phr.(nautical).—A severe but bloodless blow.SeeWipe.To be sound on the goose.verb. phr.(American).—Before the civil war, to be sound on the pro-slavery question: now, to be generally staunch on party matters; to be politically orthodox.1857.Providence Journal, 18 June. To seek for political flaws is no use, His opponents will find he issound on the goose.1857.Gladstone,Kansas: or Squatter Life, p. 43. One of the boys, I reckon?All right on the goose, eh? No highfaluten airs here, you know.1862.Lowell,Biglow Papers, II. Northern religion works wal North, but it’s ez suft ez spruce, compar’d to our’n for keepin’sound, sez she,upon the goose.1875.American EnglishinChamb. Journal, 25 Sept., p. 610. A man who can be depended upon by his party is said to besound on the goose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 22. He didn’t appear quite sosound on the gooseas he ought to ha’ done.To find fault with a fat goose,verb. phr.(old).—To grumble without rhyme or reason.—B. E. (1690).To kill the goose for the golden eggs,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To grasp at more than is due; to over-reach oneself. (From the Greek fable.)Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high,phr.SeeEverything.He’ll be a man among the geese when the gander is gone,phr.(old).—Ironical; = ‘He’ll be a man before his mother.’Go! shoe the goose,phr.(old).—A retort, derisive or incredulous = the modern ‘To hell and pump thunder.’Unable to say boh! to a goose,phr.(colloquial).—Said of a bashful person.—Grose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 76. And now … he can hardlysay boh to a goose.SeealsoWild-goose Chase.Goose-and-Duck,subs. phr.(rhyming).—A fuck.Goose and Gridiron,subs.phr.(political American).—The American eagle, and the United States flag.SeeGridiron.1891.Standard, 3 Jan., p. 3, c. 1. This is curious, considering the almost fetish-like veneration entertained by the modern American for his Standard, which, coupled with the national bird, tempted the Loyalists in the early days of the war to vent endless rude witticisms on thegoose and gridiron.Gooseberry,subs.(common).—1. A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head. [Perhaps fromGooseberry Fool; as inGoldsmith’sRetaliation:—‘And by the same rule Magnanimous Goldsmith’s agooseberry fool.’]2. (common).—A chaperon; one who takes third place to save appearances or play propriety (q.v.); adaisy-orgooseberry-picker.[183]3. (common).—A marvellous tale; amunchausen(q.v.); a flim-flam. Alsogigantic, andgiant goosberry. HenceGooseberry season= the dull time of journalism, when the appearance of monstrous vegetables, sea serpents, showers of frogs, and other portents is chronicled in default of news.Cf.,silly season(q.v.).1870.Figaro, 22 June. If we have no biggooseberriesthis season, we have at least a big salmon.1871.Graphic, 22 Apr. Mr. Tupper excited a great deal of incredulity a few years ago by announcing in the prodigiousgoosberry seasonthat he had discovered an ancient Roman coin embedded in the heart of an oak tree.1885.Ill. London News, 18 July, p. 50, c. 2. Amongst journalists there is popularly known what they call ‘thegiant gooseberry season,’ the meaning of which is, that when Parliament has risen and the Law Courts are shut and subjects on which to write become scarce, adventurous spirits are apt to discourse in their newspapers of fruit of abnormal size, and other natural prodigies, which, according to current banter, exist only in their own imagination.4.in. pl.(venery).—The testicles. For synonyms,seeCods.To play(ordo)gooseberry,verb. phr.(common).—To play propriety; also to sit third in a hansom.1877.Hawley Smart,Play or Pay. ch. vi. To take care of a pretty girl, … with a sister todo gooseberry.1880.G. R. Sims,Jeph, p. 8. Mamma alwaysplayed gooseberryon these occasions.1883.Globe, 6 July, p. 1, c. 5. They will be compelled in self-defence to have a shorthand writer present toplay gooseberry, and to be able to furnish proof that their discourse was innocent.1892.J. McCarthyandMrs. Campbell-Praed,Ladies’ Gallery, p. 51. Well, I am not a good hand atplaying gooseberry, and I don’t like spoiling sport.To play old gooseberry,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To play the deuce; to upset or spoil; to throw everything into confusion; butseequot. 1811.Old Gooseberry= The devil (seeSkipper). [SeeNotes and Queries, 2 S x., 307, 376; xii., 336.]1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Gooseberry.Heplayed up old gooseberryamong them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance.1819.Moore,Tom Crib, p. 22. Willplay up old gooseberrysoon with them all.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.To play up gooseberry; children romping about the house or the parent rating them over.1837.Ingoldsby Legends.‘Bloudie Jacke of Shrewsberrie.’ There’s a pretty to-do! All the people of Shrewsburyplaying old gooseberryWith your choice bits of taste andvirtù.1865.H. Kingsley,Hillyars and the Burtons, ch. lxii.Lay on like old gooseberry.1892.Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We all know his capacity for playingold goosberrywith things in general.Gooseberry-eyed,adj.(old).—Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).Gooseberry-grinder,subs.(old).—The breech. For synonyms,seeMonocular eyeglass.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Gooseberry-grinder, s.v. Ask Bogey thegooseberry-grinder, ask mine a——e.Gooseberry Lay,subs. phr.(thieves’).—Stealing linen from a line.Gooseberry-picker,subs.(colloquial).—1. A person whose labour profits, and is credited to, another; aghost(q.v.).[184]2. (common).—A chaperon.SeeGooseberry,subs.sense 2.1884.Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the sensations of beinggooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.Gooseberry-pudding,subs.(rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Gooseberry-wig,subs.(old).—A large frizzled wig. ‘Perhaps,’ saysGrose(s.v.), ‘from a supposed likeness to a gooseberry bush.’1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Goosecap,subs.(common).—A booby, male or female; anoodle. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1593.G. Harvey,Pierce’s Super. in wks. II., 72. A foole, an idiot, a dolt, agoose-capp, an asse, and soe fourth.1604.Dekker,Honest Wh.in wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you gulles, yougoose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters!1622.BeaumontandFletcher,Beggar’s Bush, iv., 4. Why, what agoose-capwouldst thou make me!1763.Foote,Mayor of Garratt, Act i. My husband is such agoose-capthat I can’t get no good out of him at home or abroad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A silly fellow or woman.Goose-(orGoose’s)Egg,subs.(American).—No score. AlsoGooser.SeeDuck.1886.New York Times, July. With nine unpalatablegoose-eggsin their contest.1889.Modern Society, 12 Oct., p. 1264. An enthusiastic lady cricketer has just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matrimonial match. ‘No, Mr. Brown, I cannot marry you. You score agooserthis time.’Goose-flesh(orGoose-skin),subs.(colloquial).—A peculiar tingling of the skin produced by cold, fear, etc.; the sensation described as ‘cold water down the back’; thecreeps(q.v.).1824.Miss Ferrier,Inheritance, ch. ii. Her skin began to rise into what is vulgarly termedgoose-skin.Goose-gog(orGoose-gob),subs.(common).—A gooseberry.Goose-grease,subs. phr.(venery).—A woman’sspendings(q.v.).SeeGoose,subs., sense 6.Goose-month,subs.(old).—The lying-in month.Cf.,Gander-month.Goose-persuader,subs.(common).—A tailor. For synonyms,seeSnip.Gooser,subs.(popular).—1. A settler; a knock-out blow; the act of death.SeeDigandWipe.1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. III., p. 133. It was he who saved my life. If it hadn’t been for him it would have been agooserwith me.1857.Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. In the event of my getting agooser.2. (sporting).—No score; agoose-egg(q.v.).3. (venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-Riding.SeeGander-pulling.Goose’s Gazette,subs.(old).—A lying story; a flim-flam tale; that is, a piece of reading for agoose, sense 2.[185]1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown … told him somegoose’s gazetteabout his being taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.Goose-shearer,subs.(common).—A beggar. For synonyms,seeCadger. [Fromgoose= simpleton +shearer= a cheater.]Goose’s-neck,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-step,subs.(common).—Balancing on one foot and moving the other back and forwards without taking a step. [A preliminary in military drill, thepons asinorumof the raw recruit.] Also (more loosely) ‘marking time’: that is, lifting the feet alternately without advancing.1840.Tate’s Mag., Sept., p. 607.Whether the remarkable evolution [thegoose step] was called … from the nature of the operation requiring the exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation of the above-named animal, I am totally at a loss to say.1890.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. He won his spurs at Punchestown before he had mastered thegoose step.Goose-turd Green,adj.(old).—A light-yellowish green.—Cotgrave.Goosey-gander,subs.(common).—A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.Goosing-slum,subs.(American).—A brothel. [Goosing= womanizing; also copulating.] For synonyms,seeNanny-shop.Gopher,subs.(American).—1. A young thief; especially a boy employed by burglars to enter houses through windows, skylights, etc. [In natural historygopher= a burrowing squirrel.]2. (Southern States).—A rude wooden plough.Goree,subs.(old).—Money; specifically gold or gold-dust. From Fort Goree on the Gold Coast. For synonyms,seeActualandGilt.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Gorge,subs.(vulgar).—1. A heavy meal; atuck-in(q.v.); ablow-out(q.v.).1553.Wilson,Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a fulgorge.1883.Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for agorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation ofgorger(q.v.).Verb(vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms,seeWolf.1572.Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889–91, ‘Lamentacioun,’ ii., 232.Gorgedwaters ever greater grows.1633.Massinger,New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2.Mar.Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you’ll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter’d toasts too.Greedy.This revives me: I willgorgethere sufficiently.1654.Chapman,Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o’ th’ shop cangorgetheir musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Gorge(v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably.[186]1843.Dickens,Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a word; every one had been intent, as usual, on his own privategorging; and the greater part of the company were decidedly dirty feeders.1853.Wh. Melville,Digby Grand, ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if they would only notgorgetheir food so rapidly.Gorger,subs.(vulgar).—1. A voracious eater; ascruncher(q.v.).Rotten gorger= a lad who hangs about Covent Garden eating refuse fruit.2. (common).—A well-dressed man; a gentleman. [Gypsy,gorgio= gentlemen.] Fr.,un gratiné.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Mung thegorger; beg child beg, of the gentleman.3. (common).—An employer; a principal: especially the manager of a theatre. [Perhaps because he takes (or gorges) all thefat(q.v.).] Alsocully-gorger. Fr.,amendier.1872.M. E. Braddon,Dead Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. Thegorger’sawful coally on his own slumming, eh?… I mean to say that our friend the manager is rather sweet upon his own acting.4. (old).—A neckerchief. [From gorge = throat.]1320–30.Gawaine, 957. That other wyth agorgerwatz gored ouer the swyre.Gorgonzola Hall,subs. phr.(Stock Exchange).—Formerly the New Hall; now the corporation generally. [From the colour of the marble.]1887.Atkin,House Scraps,Gorgonzola Hallgot turned into New Billingsgate.Gorm,verb. (American University).—Togorge(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWolf.I’m gormed,phr.(popular).—A profane oath.SeeGaum.1849.Dickens,David Copperfield, ch. iii. If it [his generosity] were ever referred to, … he struck the table a heavy blow with his right hand (had split it on one such occasion), and swore a dreadful oath thathe would be gormedif he didn’t cut and run for good, if it was ever mentioned again.1883.Punch, May 19, p. 230, c. 2. Why, of course I hardly expects to be believed, butI’m gormedif there was more than six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.1884.Julian Sturgis, inLongman’s Mag., iii., 623. ‘Gormedif there ain’t that old parson again!’ cried Henry, with enthusiasm.Gormagon,subs.(old).—Seequots.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses, and a cunt upon its back; a man on horseback with a woman behind him.1892.Fennell,Stanford Dict., s.v.,Gormagon… a member of an English Secret Society which existed in the second quarter of 18 c.Gormy-ruddles,subs.(common).—The intestines.Gorram(orGoram).—SeeByGoldam.Gorry.—SeeBy Gorry!Goschens,subs.(Stock Exchange).—The 2¾ per cent. Government Stock created by Mr. Goschen in 1888.1889.Man of the World, 29 June. The nicknameGoschensis going out of fashion. The new 2¾ stock is now called by the old name.1891.Punch, 4 Apr. Securities yielding a larger return than 2¾Goschens.Gosh,seeby gosh.Gospel,subs.(colloquial).—1. Anything offered as absolutely true. Alsogospel-truth.[187]1862.H. Kingsley,Ravenshoe, ch. lx. She is a good young woman, and a honest young woman in her way, and what she says this night about her brother isgospel-truth.1864.Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently unable to resist the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a tone which carried the impress of veracity with it, ‘Gospel.’1891.N. Gould, Double Event, p. 175. It was true asgospel.To do gospel,verb. phr.(common).—To go to church.Gospel-gab,subs.(common).—Insincere talk concerning religion; cant.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a littlegospel-gaband howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.Gospel-Grinder(-postillion,-sharp, or-shark),subs.(common).—A clergyman or missionary. For synonyms,seedevil-dodgerandsky-pilot;—French Synonyms.—La forêt noire(thieves’ = the black forest);une entonne ramparte(thieves’);entonner= to intone;une antiffle(thieves’);une cavée(thieves’ = a black hole);une chique(thieves’).Spanish Synonym.—Salud.Italian Synonyms.—Balza;balzana.1869.S. L. Clemens,Innocents at Home, p. 19. ‘A what!’ ‘Gospel-sharp—parson.’ ‘Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.’1877.BesantandRice,Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a ConnecticutGospel-grinderin his village location.Gospeller,subs.(colloquial).—An Evangelist preacher; in contempt. AlsoHot-gospeller(= a preaching fanatic.)Gospel-mill(or-shop),subs.(common).—A church or chapel. Alsoschism-shopanddoxology-works(q.v.).1782.Geo. Parker,Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; EachGospel-shopringing a daily change.1791.Life of J. Lackington, Letter xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging and work my next enquiry was for Mr. Wesley’sGospel-shops.1852.Judson,Mysteries of New York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about that eregospel-shopas you was agoin for to crack last week.1869.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain)Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you the duck that runs thegospel-millnext door.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 35. It’s allgospel-shopgruel.Goss(orGossamer),subs.(common).—A hat. (At first a make of peculiar lightness called afour-and-nine(q.v.).) In quot. 1836 = a white hat. For synonyms,seeGolgotha.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xii. ‘That’s one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that’s another—wentilationgossamerI calls it.’ On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.1838.Jas. Grant,Sketches in London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger inquired whether the hat was ‘a vashing beaver von?’ while a fourth inquired whether it was ‘agossamerventilator?’1851.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. I have sold hats from 6d. to 3s. 6d., but very seldom 3s. 6d. The 3s. 6d. ones would wear out two newgossamers, I know.1884.A. Lang,Much Darker Days, p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there all battered and crushed on the white snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan! … who else would wear the gaygossamerof July in stormy December?[188]1888.Harper’s Magazine, LXXVII., 139. Flinging off hisgossamerand hanging it up to drip into the pan of the hat rack.To give(orget)goss,verb. phr.(American).—To requite an injury; to kill; to go strong; to get an opportunity; toput in big licks(q.v.). Sometimes ejaculatory, as ‘Give me goss and let me rip!’1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 75.Gin him gosswithout sweetin.1847.Darley,Drama in Porterville, p. 114. Divers hints passed from one to another among the more excitable citizens, that ‘Old Sol’ was going toget goss, sure.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc., p. 115. Shouts of ‘Fair play,’ ‘Turn ’em out,’ ‘Give him goss,’ were heard on all sides.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, II., 261. Ef I don’t, the old man willgive me gosswhen I go back.Gossoon,subs.(colloquial Irish).—A boy. [A corruption of Fr.,garçon= a boy.]Gotch-gutted,adj.(old).—Pot-bellied; ‘a gotch in Norfolk, signifying a pitcher or large round jug.’—Grose.Got ’em Bad,phr.(common).—A superlative of earnestness or excessiveness:e.g., anyone doing his work thoroughly, a horse straining every nerve, a very sick person, especially a patient in thehorrors(q.v.), is said to havegot ’em bad.Got ’em On(orAll On),phr.(common).—Dressed in the height of fashion.SeeRigged Out.1880.Punch, 28 Aug., p. 90.188(?).Broadside Ballad, ‘’Arry.’ Where are you going on Sunday, ’Arry, now you’vegot ’em on?188(?).Broadside Ballad. ‘He’sgot ’em on.’Goth,subs.(common).—A frumpish or uncultured person; one behind the times or ignorant of the ways of society.1712.Spectator, No. 367. But I shall never sink this paper so far as to engage withGothsand Vandals.1751.Smollett,Peregrine Pickle, ch. lxi. You yourself are aGoth… to treat with such disrespect a production which … will, when finished, be a masterpiece of its kind.1865.Ouida,Strathmore, ch. ii. For God’s sake don’t suppose me such aGoththat I should fall in love with a dairymaid, Strath!Gotham,subs.(common).—New York City.Gothamite, a New Yorker. [First used by Washington Irving inSalmagundi(1807).]1852.Jutson,Mysteries of New York. ch. xiii. One of the vilest of all hells inGotham.1852.Bristed,Upper Ten Thousand, p. 37. The first thing, as a general rule, that a youngGothamitedoes is to get a horse.Gothic,adj.(old).—SeeGoth.1700.Congreve,The Way of the World, iv. 4. Ah, rustic, ruder thanGothic!1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, ii., 8. Why, with his usualGothicvivacity, he said I only wanted him to throw off his wig to convert it into atêtefor my own wearing.Go-to-meeting Bags(orClothes,Dress, etc.),subs. phr.(common).—Best clothes. [As worn on Sundays, or holiday occasions.]1837–40.Haliburton,The Clockmaker, p. 243 (Ed. 1862). If he hadn’t hisgo-to-meetin’ dressand looks on this day to the jury, it’s a pity.1854.Bradley,Verdant Green, Pt. II., p. 5. Besides his blackgo-to-meeting bagsplease to observe the peculiarity, etc.[189]1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s Schooldays, pt.II., ch. v. I want to give you a true picture of what every-day school life was in my time, and not a kid-glove andgo-to-meeting-coatpicture.1857.Kingsley,Two Years Ago. Looks right well in hergo-to-meeting clothes.Gouge,subs.(American).—An imposture; a swindle; a method of cheating.1845.New York Tribune, 10 Dec. R—— and H—— will probably receive from Mr. Polk’s administration $100,000 more than respectable printers would have done the work for. There is a clean, plaingougeof this sum out of the people’s strong box.Verb.(old).—1.Grosesays, ‘To squeeze out a man’s eye with the thumb, a cruel practice used by the Bostonians in America.’1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 49. His eyes having beengougedin a mountain fray.2. (American).—To defraud.1845.New York Tribune, 26 Nov. Very well, gentlemen!gougeMr. Crosby out of the seat, if you think it wholesome to do it.1874.W. D. Howells,Foregone Conclusions, ch. iii. The man’s a perfect Jew—or a perfect Christian, one ought to say in Venice; we true believers dogougeso much more infamously here.1885.Bret Harte,A Ship of ’49, ch. i. He’s regularlygougedme in that ’ere horsehair spekilation.Gouger,subs.(American).—A cheat; a swindler. For synonyms,seeRook.

Gone,adj.(colloquial).—1. Ruined; totally undone. Also,adv., an expression of completeness,e.g.,Gone beaver,corbie,coon,gander, orgoose= a man or an event past praying for:Cf.,Go upandGo down.1604.Shakspeare,Winter’s Tale, iv., 3. He must know ’tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we aregoneelse.[176]1843–4.Haliburton,Sam Slick in England, ch. xviii. If a bear comes after you, Sam, you must be up and doin’, or it’s agone goosewith you.1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 40. From that moment he wasgone beaver; he felt queer, he said, all over.1857.Notes and Queries, 2 S. iii., 519. To call a person agone corbie, is only to say in other words, it’s all up with him.1862.Clough,Poems. He had been into the schools; plucked almost; all but agone-coon.1863.C. Reade,Hard Cash, I., 178. I shall meet her again next week; will you come? Any friend of mine is welcome. Wish me joy, old fellow; I’m agone coon.Gone on,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Enamoured of; infatuated with;mashed on(q.v.);sweet on(q.v.). Generally in contempt. Fr.,aimer comme ses petits boyaux. For synonyms,seeSweet on.1887.John Strange Winter,That Imp, p. 44. He was a fine fellow, and no mistake. And wasgone onLady Lorrimor!1890.Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar. p. 10, c. 3. He must have been terriblygone onthis woman.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 113. ‘Poor chap, he’s very fargone,’ thought Jack.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 31. I’ll eat my old boots if she isn’t deadgone on.Goner, (orGones,Gonus, orGoney),subs.(American).—1. A fool; a simpleton. AlsoGauney(q.v.). For synonyms,seeBuffleorCabbage-head.1857.Punch, 31 Jan. But the lark’s when agoneyup with us they shut, As ain’t up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut.1860.Haliburton,Sam Slick, ‘The Season Ticket,’ No. X. ‘It’s only grief, Nabby dear, my heart is broke.’ ‘Is that all, yougoney?’ says she, ‘it’s lucky your precious neck ain’t broke.’a.1871.The Dartmouth, vol. iv. One day I heard a Senior call a fellow agonus. ‘Gonus,’ echoed I, ‘what does that mean?’‘Oh,’ said he, ‘you’re a Freshman, and don’t understand. A stupid fellow, a dolt, a boot-jack, an ignoramus, is here called agonus. All Freshmen,’ he continued gravely, ‘aregonuses.’2. (colloquial).—A person past recovery, utterly ruined, or done for in any way.1876.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain),Tom Sawyer, p. 99. ‘Yes, but she ain’t dead; and, what’s more, she’s getting better too.’ ‘All right, you wait and see. She’s agoner, just as dead sure as Muff Potter’s agoner.’1888.Cincinnati Enquirer.Fortunately, she did not see me, or else I should have been agoner.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 261. ‘Make a noise or follow me, and you’re agoner,’ said Smirk.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 212. A few more of her meddlings and she’s agoner, that’s what she is.Gong(orGong-house),subs.(old).—A privy. For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales. ‘The Parsons Tale’ [Riverside Ed. (1880)], ii., 241. Thise fool wommen, that mowe be likned to a communegong, whereas men purgen hire ordure.Gong-farmer(orGong-man),subs.(old).—An emptier of cesspools; agold-finder(q.v.).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Curadestri, a iakes,goong, or doong farmer.Gonof(orGonnoforGonophorGnof),subs.(thieves’).—1. A thief; specifically a pick-pocket, and especially an adept. [From the Hebrew. Ancient English; a legacy from the old time Jews. It came into use again with the moderns who employ it commonly.Cf.,gonov= thief in Ex. xxii, 2 and 6, viz., ‘if thegonovbe found.’]SeeThieves.1857.Dickens,On Duty with Inspector Field, in ‘Reprinted Pieces’ p. 256. If the smallestgonophabout town were crouching at the bottom of a classic bath Inspector Field would nose him.[177]1849.Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov. A burglar would not condescend to sit among pickpockets. My informant has known a housebreaker to say with a sneer, when requested to sit down with thegonoffs, ‘No, no, I may be a thief, but at least I’m a respectable one.’1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 325. Thegonaff(a Hebrew word signifying a young thief, probably learnt from the Jew ‘fences’ in the neighbourhood).1852.Judson,Myst., etc., of New York, ch. vii. He next assumed his present profession, and became agnofor pickpocket.1876.Hindley,Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 146. Oh, you tief! you cheat! yougonnof!1889.Referee, 12 May.Gonophs… were frequent in Tattersall’s on Friday.1889.C. T. ClarksonandJ. Hall Richardson,Police, p. 321. Boys who creep into houses.… Young gunneffs orgonophs.2. (old).—A bumpkin; a churl; a clumsy hand; a shameless simpleton.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales, 3187–8. Whilom there was, dwelling in Oxenforde, A richgnof, that gertes helde to borde.c.1547.Song(quoted by Hotten). The countrygnoffes, Hob, Dick, and Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon, Shall fill up Dussin Dale With slaughtered bodies soone.Verb(old).—To wheedle; to cheat; to steal.Gonophing,subs.(thieves’).—Picking pockets.1857.Dickens,The Detective Police, in ‘Reprinted Pieces,’ p. 240. From the swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics of cracksmen, fences … designing young people who go outgonophing, and other ‘schools.’Gooby,subs.(common).—A simpleton; a blockhead. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. Why, you oldgooby, Mister Sloper will pay us twice as much for the ducks.Good!subs.(printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’Adj.(colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’;e.g., He isgoodfor any amount. Also, expert.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 3. Antonio is agoodman: my meaning in saying that he is agoodman, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.1824.Reynolds,Peter Corcoran, 91Goodwith both hands and only ten stone four.Good goods,in. pl.,subs. phr.(sporting).—Something worth trying for; a success. In the superlative, ‘best’goods.1886.Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4. He was a nice young man for a small tea party, And rathergood goodsat a Sunday-school treat.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 39.There’sWarner in ‘Drink’; now, that’s business,good goodsand no error.Bit(orPiece)of Goods,subs. phr.(common).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Good old…adj. phr.(popular).—A familiar address, derisive or affectionate according to circumstances.Seequots.1891.Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘Good old Mary Anne!’!!!Ibid.The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and, sniffing in the smoke, cried,good old London. This is a true story.Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin … rouses mirth by … exclaiminggood old spot!as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds painted over his right optic.[178]1892.Chevalier‘The Little Nipper.’ ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’ And ’is father ‘good oldpally,’ And ’e only stands about so ’igh, that’s all!To feel good,verb. phr.(American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.1887.Proctor[inKnowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to accept it by the plea that it would make himfeel good.1888.Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday afternoon, and the menfeelprettygoodbefore they come abroad.To be in one’s good books,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To be in favour; in good opinion. Conversely,To be in one’s bad books= To be in disfavour.SeeBook.Good at it(orat the Game),adj. phr.(venery).—An expert bedfellow, male or female.To have a good swim.—SeeSwim.For good(orFor good and all),adv. phr.(colloquial).—Completely; entirely; finally.1673.Wycherley,Gent. Danc. Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I went, I would gofor good and all.1693.Congreve,Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3.Sharp.Faith, e’en give her overfor good and all: you can have no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.1875.Ouida,Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up to the hills with Bruno, and stayed therefor good and all.Good as Wheat.—SeeWheat.Good as ever pissed,phr.(venery).—A qualification of extreme excellence.1719.Durfey,Pills,etc., ii., 260. And she isas goodfor the gameas e’er pissed.Good as a Play.—SeePlay.Good as Gold,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.As good as they make ’em.—SeeMake ’em.Good-bye, John!phr.(American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.Good cess,subs. phr.(Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of ‘success.’)Bad Cess= the reverse.1845.Buckstone,Green Bushes, i., 1.All.Bravo, Paddy!Good cessto ye, Paddy! Hurrah!Goodfellow(orGood Boy, orGood Man),subs.(old).—1. A roysterer; a boon companion.1570.Ascham,Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been agood fellowin his youth.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Good Fellow, a Pot companion or Friend of the Bottle.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports, according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer; at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though but rarely, a virtuous man.1822.Scott,Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is agood boy.2. (old).—A thief.SeeThieves.1608.Middleton,Trick to Catch the Old One, ii., 1.Luc.Welcome,good fellow.Host.He calls me thief at first sight. [Footnote in ‘Mermaid Series’ Ed.Good fellowwas then the cant term for a thief.][179]1870.Evening Standard, 11 Feb. ‘Police Report.’ Police detective said that he believed the two prisoners weregood men. In reply to the magistrate he explained that he meant they were old thieves.Good Girl(orGood One),adj. phr.(old).—A wanton.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Gaultière—A whore, punke, drab, queane, gill, flirt, strumpet, cockatrice, mad wench, common hackney,good one.Goodman,subs.(old).—1. A gaoler; adubsman(q.v.).1721–2.Woodrow,History, ii., 636. Thegoodmanof the Tolbooth came to him in his chamber, and told him he might save his life, if he would sign the petition.2. (colloquial).—The devil. For synonyms,seeSkipper.Goodman-turd,subs.(old).—A contemptible fellow; abad-egg(q.v.).1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes.Dometa, an old worde for a shitten fellow, orgoodman-turde.Good Night!intj. phr.(general).—A retort to an incredible statement or a delightful piece of news.SeeCarry me out!Good-people,subs.(old colloquial).—The fairies.1828.G. Griffin,Collegians, ch. v. An nothin’ shows itself now by night, neither spirits norgood people.1848.Forster,Oliver Goldsmith, bk. I., ch. 1, p. 8 (5th ed.). A small old parsonage house (supposed afterwards to be haunted by the fairies, orgood peopleof the district).1891.R. L. Stevenson,Kidnapped, p. 168. ‘Did ever ye hear tell of the story of the Man and theGood People?’—by which he meant the fairies.Good(orGood Old)Sort,subs. phr.(popular).—A man of social and other parts.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 149. Had we not better make a clean breast of it, and trust to his generosity; he seems agood sort?Good Thing,subs. phr.(colloquial).—Something worth having or backing; abon mot;good goods(q.v.). In racing a presumedcert(q.v.).1844.Puck, p. 63. Here’s to thegood thingwhose neatness we prize.1884.Saturday Review, 2 Aug., p. 147, c. 2. The Goodwood Stakes was considered agood thingfor Florence, who has proved herself to be an extraordinary mare.1888.Sporting Life, 10 Dec. In a field of four, Livingstone, who was voted agood thing, was served up a warm favourite.1891.Daily Telegraph, 21 Mar. It had been generally anticipated that this was agood thingfor Oxford.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. That them as trades in rags and bones Makes more than them as writesgood things.Good Time,subs. phr.(old).—A carouse; a friendly gathering; an enjoyable bout at anything.To have a good time,verb. phr.(old).—To be fortunate or lucky; to enjoy oneself; to make merry.SeeCocum.1596.Jonson,Every Man in His Humour, i., 2. As not ten housewives pewter, again agood time, shews more bright to the world than he! [= some festival, ‘when housewives are careful to set out their furniture to the best advantage.’—Note by Whalley, given in Cunningham’s Gifford’sJonson(1870)].1863.A. Trollope,Rachel Ray, ii., 6., 109. Eating cake and drinking currant wine, but not having, on the whole, what our American friends call agood timeof it.1864.Yates,Broken to Harness, ch. xxxviii. And what have you been doing? Had agood time?1883.Bret Harte,In the Carquinez Woods, ch. ix. But we must keep it dark until after I marry Nellie, don’t you see. Then we’ll have agood timeall round, and I’ll stand the drinks.[180]1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 14. My idea of man’s chief end was to enrich the world with things of beauty, and have a fairlygood timemyself while doing so.Good ’un,subs. phr.(colloquial).—1. A man, woman, or thing of decided and undoubted merit.Cf.,Good-girl.1828–45.T. Hood,Poems, vi., p. 254 [ed. 1846]. Agood ’unto look at but bad to go.1854.MartinandAytoun,Bon Gaultier Ballads. ‘The Dirge of a Drinker.’ Like agood ’unas he is.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 160. He’s a realgood un, and when his party plank the stuff down it’s generally a moral.2. (colloquial).—An expression of derisive unbelief:e.g., a lie.SeeWhopper.Good-wooled,adj. phr.(American).—Of unflinching courage; of the greatest merit; thoroughly dependable.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Goody,subs.(popular).—1. A matron: the correllative ofgoodman= husband. (Used likeauntie, andmother, andgammer, in addressing or describing an inferior.) (A corruption ofgood-wife).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Mona, … Also a nickname for women as we say gammer,goodie, goodwife, such a one.1689.Accts. of the Churchwardens of Sprowston.PaidgoodyCrabbin for washing the surplis and church powrch, 1s.3d.d.1732.Gay.Swarm’d on a rotten stick the bees I spy’d Which erst I saw whengoodyDopon dy’d.d.1745.Swift.Plaingoodywould no longer down: ’Twas Madam in her grogram gown.1802.Bloomfield,Rural Tales, ‘Richard and Kate.’ Come,Goody, stop your humdrum wheel.1816.Johnson,Eng. Dict.s.v. A low term of civility used to mean persons.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Witches’ Frolic.’ OldGoodyPrice, Had got something nice.HenceGoodyship= ‘ladyship.’1663.Butler,Hudibras, pt. 1, c. 3. The more shame for hergoodyship, To give so near a friend the slip.2. (colloquial).—A religious hypocrite, male or female; the ‘unco guid’ of Burns.1836.Kidd,London Ambulator, p. 14. Clapham is celebrated forgoodies—ladies of a certain age, who not having succeeded in finessing for husbands, betake themselves to a religious life as adernier resort.Hencegoody-goodyism= sentimental piety.1892.Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Nov., p. 3., c. 1. The Christmas tale of adventure … has perhaps cast off its element ofgoody-goodyism, but the general features and cast are as of old.3. generallyin. pl.(colloquial).—Sweetmeats; bon-bons; cakes and buns.1853.Mayhew,Letters Left at a Pastrycook’s. Propped up on each side with bags of oranges, cakes, andgoodies.1855.H. A. Murray,Lands of the Slave and the Free, ch. xii. Adjourning from time to time to some café for the purpose of eating ices or suckinggoodies.4. (American).—The kernel of a nut.Adj.(colloquial).—Well-meaning but petty; officiously pious.Alsogoody-goody.1864.D. W. Thompson,Daydreams of a Schoolmaster, p. 230. I would rather they were not too good; orgoody. Let us have a little naughtiness, sprinkled in at intervals.1892.S. Watson,Wops the Waif, p. 7. He knew well enough the whole of this enterprise had sprung from agoody-goodyidea of ‘doing something,’ born of impulse and whim.Goodyear,subs.(old).—The pox. (A corruption of gougeer, fromgouge= a soldier’s trull). For synonyms,seeLadies’ Fever.1605.Shakspeare,Lear, v., 3. Thegoodyearsshall devour them.[181]Gook,subs.(American).—A low prostitute. For synonyms,seeBarrack HackandTart.Goose,subs.(common).—1. A tailor’s smoothing iron. (Whose handle is shaped like the neck of the bird.) Hence the old ditton, ‘A taylor be he ever so poor is sure to have a goose at his fire.’—Grose.Fr.,un gendarme.1606.Shakspeare,Macbeth, ii., 3. Come in, taylor; here you may roast yourgoose.1606.Dekker,Newes from Hell, in Wks. (Grosart) ii., 114. Every man being armed with his sheeres and pressing Iron, which he calls there hisgoose.1638.Randolph,Hey for Honesty. …Tailor.Oh! it is an age that, like the Ostrich, makes me feed on my owngoose.1703.Ward,London Spy, pt. xii., p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher’sgoose.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Goose(s.) … also the large, heavy iron used by taylors, to press down their seams with when heated very hot.1766.Kenrick,Falstaff’s Wedding, iii., 1. Although they had been hissing all the way like a tailor’sgoose.1861.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has had a slight dispute with his wife the night before, and has corporeally chastised her with a hotgoose—a tailor’sgoose, be it understood—to the extent of all but fracturing her skull.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the warders from their own breakfast, the tools—scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, orgeese—are served out.2. (common).—A simpleton: usually only of women. AlsoGoosecap(q.v.).1591.Shakspeare,Romeo and Juliet, ii., 4.Mercutio.Was I there with you for thegoose?Rom.Thou wast never with me that thou wast not for thegoose.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.3. (venery).—SeeWinchester Goose.4. (colloquial).—A reprimand; awigging(q.v.);cf.,verb, sense 1.1865.G. F. Berkeley,My Lifeetc., i., 276. On the adventure reaching the ears of the Duke of Wellington, the active experimentalist received considerablegoose.5. (printers’).—SeeWayz goose.6. (colloquial).—A woman: whence, by implication, the sexual favour.Verb.(common).—1. To hiss; to condemn by hissing. Alsoto get the gooseorthe big bird(q.v.). Among Fr. equivalents are:appelerorsiffler Azor(= to whistle a dog, Azor being a common canine appellation);boire une goutte(= to be goosed);attrapper;reconduire;se faire travailler;empoigner;éreinter;polisonner;égayer.1854.Dickens,Hard Times, ch. vi. He wasgoosedlast night, he wasgoosedthe night before last, he wasgoosedto-day.1858.Dickens,Xmas Stories(Going into Soc.), p. 67 (House. Ed.). Which makes you grind your teeth at him to his face, and which can hardly hold you fromgoosinghim audible when he’s going through his War-Dance.1873.Hornet, 29 Jan., p. 211, c. 2.Ferdin.Fact! My soul is sick on’t.Goosedlast night; My salary docked.1875.T. Frost,Circus Life, p. 281. Anartisteisgoosed, orgets the goose, when the spectators or auditors testify by sibillant sounds disapproval or dissatisfaction.1886.Graphic, 10 Apr., p. 399. To begoosed, or, as it is sometimes phrased, ‘to get the big bird,’ is occasionally a compliment to the actor’s power of representing villainy, but more often is disagreeably suggestive of a failure to please.2. (colloquial).—To ruin; to spoil.SeeCook one’s goose.[182]1888.Cassell’s Saturday Journal, 22 Dec., p. 301. We was pretty nighgoosed.3. (cobblers’).—To mend boots by putting on a new front half-way up, and a new bottom; elsewhere calledfootingboots.Cf.,Fox.4. (venery).—To go wenching; towomanize(q.v.).5. (venery).—To possess a woman.Goose Without Gravy,subs. phr.(nautical).—A severe but bloodless blow.SeeWipe.To be sound on the goose.verb. phr.(American).—Before the civil war, to be sound on the pro-slavery question: now, to be generally staunch on party matters; to be politically orthodox.1857.Providence Journal, 18 June. To seek for political flaws is no use, His opponents will find he issound on the goose.1857.Gladstone,Kansas: or Squatter Life, p. 43. One of the boys, I reckon?All right on the goose, eh? No highfaluten airs here, you know.1862.Lowell,Biglow Papers, II. Northern religion works wal North, but it’s ez suft ez spruce, compar’d to our’n for keepin’sound, sez she,upon the goose.1875.American EnglishinChamb. Journal, 25 Sept., p. 610. A man who can be depended upon by his party is said to besound on the goose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 22. He didn’t appear quite sosound on the gooseas he ought to ha’ done.To find fault with a fat goose,verb. phr.(old).—To grumble without rhyme or reason.—B. E. (1690).To kill the goose for the golden eggs,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To grasp at more than is due; to over-reach oneself. (From the Greek fable.)Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high,phr.SeeEverything.He’ll be a man among the geese when the gander is gone,phr.(old).—Ironical; = ‘He’ll be a man before his mother.’Go! shoe the goose,phr.(old).—A retort, derisive or incredulous = the modern ‘To hell and pump thunder.’Unable to say boh! to a goose,phr.(colloquial).—Said of a bashful person.—Grose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 76. And now … he can hardlysay boh to a goose.SeealsoWild-goose Chase.Goose-and-Duck,subs. phr.(rhyming).—A fuck.Goose and Gridiron,subs.phr.(political American).—The American eagle, and the United States flag.SeeGridiron.1891.Standard, 3 Jan., p. 3, c. 1. This is curious, considering the almost fetish-like veneration entertained by the modern American for his Standard, which, coupled with the national bird, tempted the Loyalists in the early days of the war to vent endless rude witticisms on thegoose and gridiron.Gooseberry,subs.(common).—1. A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head. [Perhaps fromGooseberry Fool; as inGoldsmith’sRetaliation:—‘And by the same rule Magnanimous Goldsmith’s agooseberry fool.’]2. (common).—A chaperon; one who takes third place to save appearances or play propriety (q.v.); adaisy-orgooseberry-picker.[183]3. (common).—A marvellous tale; amunchausen(q.v.); a flim-flam. Alsogigantic, andgiant goosberry. HenceGooseberry season= the dull time of journalism, when the appearance of monstrous vegetables, sea serpents, showers of frogs, and other portents is chronicled in default of news.Cf.,silly season(q.v.).1870.Figaro, 22 June. If we have no biggooseberriesthis season, we have at least a big salmon.1871.Graphic, 22 Apr. Mr. Tupper excited a great deal of incredulity a few years ago by announcing in the prodigiousgoosberry seasonthat he had discovered an ancient Roman coin embedded in the heart of an oak tree.1885.Ill. London News, 18 July, p. 50, c. 2. Amongst journalists there is popularly known what they call ‘thegiant gooseberry season,’ the meaning of which is, that when Parliament has risen and the Law Courts are shut and subjects on which to write become scarce, adventurous spirits are apt to discourse in their newspapers of fruit of abnormal size, and other natural prodigies, which, according to current banter, exist only in their own imagination.4.in. pl.(venery).—The testicles. For synonyms,seeCods.To play(ordo)gooseberry,verb. phr.(common).—To play propriety; also to sit third in a hansom.1877.Hawley Smart,Play or Pay. ch. vi. To take care of a pretty girl, … with a sister todo gooseberry.1880.G. R. Sims,Jeph, p. 8. Mamma alwaysplayed gooseberryon these occasions.1883.Globe, 6 July, p. 1, c. 5. They will be compelled in self-defence to have a shorthand writer present toplay gooseberry, and to be able to furnish proof that their discourse was innocent.1892.J. McCarthyandMrs. Campbell-Praed,Ladies’ Gallery, p. 51. Well, I am not a good hand atplaying gooseberry, and I don’t like spoiling sport.To play old gooseberry,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To play the deuce; to upset or spoil; to throw everything into confusion; butseequot. 1811.Old Gooseberry= The devil (seeSkipper). [SeeNotes and Queries, 2 S x., 307, 376; xii., 336.]1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Gooseberry.Heplayed up old gooseberryamong them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance.1819.Moore,Tom Crib, p. 22. Willplay up old gooseberrysoon with them all.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.To play up gooseberry; children romping about the house or the parent rating them over.1837.Ingoldsby Legends.‘Bloudie Jacke of Shrewsberrie.’ There’s a pretty to-do! All the people of Shrewsburyplaying old gooseberryWith your choice bits of taste andvirtù.1865.H. Kingsley,Hillyars and the Burtons, ch. lxii.Lay on like old gooseberry.1892.Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We all know his capacity for playingold goosberrywith things in general.Gooseberry-eyed,adj.(old).—Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).Gooseberry-grinder,subs.(old).—The breech. For synonyms,seeMonocular eyeglass.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Gooseberry-grinder, s.v. Ask Bogey thegooseberry-grinder, ask mine a——e.Gooseberry Lay,subs. phr.(thieves’).—Stealing linen from a line.Gooseberry-picker,subs.(colloquial).—1. A person whose labour profits, and is credited to, another; aghost(q.v.).[184]2. (common).—A chaperon.SeeGooseberry,subs.sense 2.1884.Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the sensations of beinggooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.Gooseberry-pudding,subs.(rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Gooseberry-wig,subs.(old).—A large frizzled wig. ‘Perhaps,’ saysGrose(s.v.), ‘from a supposed likeness to a gooseberry bush.’1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Goosecap,subs.(common).—A booby, male or female; anoodle. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1593.G. Harvey,Pierce’s Super. in wks. II., 72. A foole, an idiot, a dolt, agoose-capp, an asse, and soe fourth.1604.Dekker,Honest Wh.in wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you gulles, yougoose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters!1622.BeaumontandFletcher,Beggar’s Bush, iv., 4. Why, what agoose-capwouldst thou make me!1763.Foote,Mayor of Garratt, Act i. My husband is such agoose-capthat I can’t get no good out of him at home or abroad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A silly fellow or woman.Goose-(orGoose’s)Egg,subs.(American).—No score. AlsoGooser.SeeDuck.1886.New York Times, July. With nine unpalatablegoose-eggsin their contest.1889.Modern Society, 12 Oct., p. 1264. An enthusiastic lady cricketer has just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matrimonial match. ‘No, Mr. Brown, I cannot marry you. You score agooserthis time.’Goose-flesh(orGoose-skin),subs.(colloquial).—A peculiar tingling of the skin produced by cold, fear, etc.; the sensation described as ‘cold water down the back’; thecreeps(q.v.).1824.Miss Ferrier,Inheritance, ch. ii. Her skin began to rise into what is vulgarly termedgoose-skin.Goose-gog(orGoose-gob),subs.(common).—A gooseberry.Goose-grease,subs. phr.(venery).—A woman’sspendings(q.v.).SeeGoose,subs., sense 6.Goose-month,subs.(old).—The lying-in month.Cf.,Gander-month.Goose-persuader,subs.(common).—A tailor. For synonyms,seeSnip.Gooser,subs.(popular).—1. A settler; a knock-out blow; the act of death.SeeDigandWipe.1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. III., p. 133. It was he who saved my life. If it hadn’t been for him it would have been agooserwith me.1857.Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. In the event of my getting agooser.2. (sporting).—No score; agoose-egg(q.v.).3. (venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-Riding.SeeGander-pulling.Goose’s Gazette,subs.(old).—A lying story; a flim-flam tale; that is, a piece of reading for agoose, sense 2.[185]1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown … told him somegoose’s gazetteabout his being taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.Goose-shearer,subs.(common).—A beggar. For synonyms,seeCadger. [Fromgoose= simpleton +shearer= a cheater.]Goose’s-neck,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-step,subs.(common).—Balancing on one foot and moving the other back and forwards without taking a step. [A preliminary in military drill, thepons asinorumof the raw recruit.] Also (more loosely) ‘marking time’: that is, lifting the feet alternately without advancing.1840.Tate’s Mag., Sept., p. 607.Whether the remarkable evolution [thegoose step] was called … from the nature of the operation requiring the exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation of the above-named animal, I am totally at a loss to say.1890.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. He won his spurs at Punchestown before he had mastered thegoose step.Goose-turd Green,adj.(old).—A light-yellowish green.—Cotgrave.Goosey-gander,subs.(common).—A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.Goosing-slum,subs.(American).—A brothel. [Goosing= womanizing; also copulating.] For synonyms,seeNanny-shop.Gopher,subs.(American).—1. A young thief; especially a boy employed by burglars to enter houses through windows, skylights, etc. [In natural historygopher= a burrowing squirrel.]2. (Southern States).—A rude wooden plough.Goree,subs.(old).—Money; specifically gold or gold-dust. From Fort Goree on the Gold Coast. For synonyms,seeActualandGilt.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Gorge,subs.(vulgar).—1. A heavy meal; atuck-in(q.v.); ablow-out(q.v.).1553.Wilson,Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a fulgorge.1883.Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for agorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation ofgorger(q.v.).Verb(vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms,seeWolf.1572.Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889–91, ‘Lamentacioun,’ ii., 232.Gorgedwaters ever greater grows.1633.Massinger,New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2.Mar.Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you’ll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter’d toasts too.Greedy.This revives me: I willgorgethere sufficiently.1654.Chapman,Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o’ th’ shop cangorgetheir musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Gorge(v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably.[186]1843.Dickens,Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a word; every one had been intent, as usual, on his own privategorging; and the greater part of the company were decidedly dirty feeders.1853.Wh. Melville,Digby Grand, ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if they would only notgorgetheir food so rapidly.Gorger,subs.(vulgar).—1. A voracious eater; ascruncher(q.v.).Rotten gorger= a lad who hangs about Covent Garden eating refuse fruit.2. (common).—A well-dressed man; a gentleman. [Gypsy,gorgio= gentlemen.] Fr.,un gratiné.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Mung thegorger; beg child beg, of the gentleman.3. (common).—An employer; a principal: especially the manager of a theatre. [Perhaps because he takes (or gorges) all thefat(q.v.).] Alsocully-gorger. Fr.,amendier.1872.M. E. Braddon,Dead Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. Thegorger’sawful coally on his own slumming, eh?… I mean to say that our friend the manager is rather sweet upon his own acting.4. (old).—A neckerchief. [From gorge = throat.]1320–30.Gawaine, 957. That other wyth agorgerwatz gored ouer the swyre.Gorgonzola Hall,subs. phr.(Stock Exchange).—Formerly the New Hall; now the corporation generally. [From the colour of the marble.]1887.Atkin,House Scraps,Gorgonzola Hallgot turned into New Billingsgate.Gorm,verb. (American University).—Togorge(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWolf.I’m gormed,phr.(popular).—A profane oath.SeeGaum.1849.Dickens,David Copperfield, ch. iii. If it [his generosity] were ever referred to, … he struck the table a heavy blow with his right hand (had split it on one such occasion), and swore a dreadful oath thathe would be gormedif he didn’t cut and run for good, if it was ever mentioned again.1883.Punch, May 19, p. 230, c. 2. Why, of course I hardly expects to be believed, butI’m gormedif there was more than six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.1884.Julian Sturgis, inLongman’s Mag., iii., 623. ‘Gormedif there ain’t that old parson again!’ cried Henry, with enthusiasm.Gormagon,subs.(old).—Seequots.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses, and a cunt upon its back; a man on horseback with a woman behind him.1892.Fennell,Stanford Dict., s.v.,Gormagon… a member of an English Secret Society which existed in the second quarter of 18 c.Gormy-ruddles,subs.(common).—The intestines.Gorram(orGoram).—SeeByGoldam.Gorry.—SeeBy Gorry!Goschens,subs.(Stock Exchange).—The 2¾ per cent. Government Stock created by Mr. Goschen in 1888.1889.Man of the World, 29 June. The nicknameGoschensis going out of fashion. The new 2¾ stock is now called by the old name.1891.Punch, 4 Apr. Securities yielding a larger return than 2¾Goschens.Gosh,seeby gosh.Gospel,subs.(colloquial).—1. Anything offered as absolutely true. Alsogospel-truth.[187]1862.H. Kingsley,Ravenshoe, ch. lx. She is a good young woman, and a honest young woman in her way, and what she says this night about her brother isgospel-truth.1864.Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently unable to resist the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a tone which carried the impress of veracity with it, ‘Gospel.’1891.N. Gould, Double Event, p. 175. It was true asgospel.To do gospel,verb. phr.(common).—To go to church.Gospel-gab,subs.(common).—Insincere talk concerning religion; cant.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a littlegospel-gaband howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.Gospel-Grinder(-postillion,-sharp, or-shark),subs.(common).—A clergyman or missionary. For synonyms,seedevil-dodgerandsky-pilot;—French Synonyms.—La forêt noire(thieves’ = the black forest);une entonne ramparte(thieves’);entonner= to intone;une antiffle(thieves’);une cavée(thieves’ = a black hole);une chique(thieves’).Spanish Synonym.—Salud.Italian Synonyms.—Balza;balzana.1869.S. L. Clemens,Innocents at Home, p. 19. ‘A what!’ ‘Gospel-sharp—parson.’ ‘Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.’1877.BesantandRice,Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a ConnecticutGospel-grinderin his village location.Gospeller,subs.(colloquial).—An Evangelist preacher; in contempt. AlsoHot-gospeller(= a preaching fanatic.)Gospel-mill(or-shop),subs.(common).—A church or chapel. Alsoschism-shopanddoxology-works(q.v.).1782.Geo. Parker,Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; EachGospel-shopringing a daily change.1791.Life of J. Lackington, Letter xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging and work my next enquiry was for Mr. Wesley’sGospel-shops.1852.Judson,Mysteries of New York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about that eregospel-shopas you was agoin for to crack last week.1869.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain)Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you the duck that runs thegospel-millnext door.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 35. It’s allgospel-shopgruel.Goss(orGossamer),subs.(common).—A hat. (At first a make of peculiar lightness called afour-and-nine(q.v.).) In quot. 1836 = a white hat. For synonyms,seeGolgotha.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xii. ‘That’s one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that’s another—wentilationgossamerI calls it.’ On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.1838.Jas. Grant,Sketches in London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger inquired whether the hat was ‘a vashing beaver von?’ while a fourth inquired whether it was ‘agossamerventilator?’1851.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. I have sold hats from 6d. to 3s. 6d., but very seldom 3s. 6d. The 3s. 6d. ones would wear out two newgossamers, I know.1884.A. Lang,Much Darker Days, p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there all battered and crushed on the white snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan! … who else would wear the gaygossamerof July in stormy December?[188]1888.Harper’s Magazine, LXXVII., 139. Flinging off hisgossamerand hanging it up to drip into the pan of the hat rack.To give(orget)goss,verb. phr.(American).—To requite an injury; to kill; to go strong; to get an opportunity; toput in big licks(q.v.). Sometimes ejaculatory, as ‘Give me goss and let me rip!’1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 75.Gin him gosswithout sweetin.1847.Darley,Drama in Porterville, p. 114. Divers hints passed from one to another among the more excitable citizens, that ‘Old Sol’ was going toget goss, sure.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc., p. 115. Shouts of ‘Fair play,’ ‘Turn ’em out,’ ‘Give him goss,’ were heard on all sides.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, II., 261. Ef I don’t, the old man willgive me gosswhen I go back.Gossoon,subs.(colloquial Irish).—A boy. [A corruption of Fr.,garçon= a boy.]Gotch-gutted,adj.(old).—Pot-bellied; ‘a gotch in Norfolk, signifying a pitcher or large round jug.’—Grose.Got ’em Bad,phr.(common).—A superlative of earnestness or excessiveness:e.g., anyone doing his work thoroughly, a horse straining every nerve, a very sick person, especially a patient in thehorrors(q.v.), is said to havegot ’em bad.Got ’em On(orAll On),phr.(common).—Dressed in the height of fashion.SeeRigged Out.1880.Punch, 28 Aug., p. 90.188(?).Broadside Ballad, ‘’Arry.’ Where are you going on Sunday, ’Arry, now you’vegot ’em on?188(?).Broadside Ballad. ‘He’sgot ’em on.’Goth,subs.(common).—A frumpish or uncultured person; one behind the times or ignorant of the ways of society.1712.Spectator, No. 367. But I shall never sink this paper so far as to engage withGothsand Vandals.1751.Smollett,Peregrine Pickle, ch. lxi. You yourself are aGoth… to treat with such disrespect a production which … will, when finished, be a masterpiece of its kind.1865.Ouida,Strathmore, ch. ii. For God’s sake don’t suppose me such aGoththat I should fall in love with a dairymaid, Strath!Gotham,subs.(common).—New York City.Gothamite, a New Yorker. [First used by Washington Irving inSalmagundi(1807).]1852.Jutson,Mysteries of New York. ch. xiii. One of the vilest of all hells inGotham.1852.Bristed,Upper Ten Thousand, p. 37. The first thing, as a general rule, that a youngGothamitedoes is to get a horse.Gothic,adj.(old).—SeeGoth.1700.Congreve,The Way of the World, iv. 4. Ah, rustic, ruder thanGothic!1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, ii., 8. Why, with his usualGothicvivacity, he said I only wanted him to throw off his wig to convert it into atêtefor my own wearing.Go-to-meeting Bags(orClothes,Dress, etc.),subs. phr.(common).—Best clothes. [As worn on Sundays, or holiday occasions.]1837–40.Haliburton,The Clockmaker, p. 243 (Ed. 1862). If he hadn’t hisgo-to-meetin’ dressand looks on this day to the jury, it’s a pity.1854.Bradley,Verdant Green, Pt. II., p. 5. Besides his blackgo-to-meeting bagsplease to observe the peculiarity, etc.[189]1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s Schooldays, pt.II., ch. v. I want to give you a true picture of what every-day school life was in my time, and not a kid-glove andgo-to-meeting-coatpicture.1857.Kingsley,Two Years Ago. Looks right well in hergo-to-meeting clothes.Gouge,subs.(American).—An imposture; a swindle; a method of cheating.1845.New York Tribune, 10 Dec. R—— and H—— will probably receive from Mr. Polk’s administration $100,000 more than respectable printers would have done the work for. There is a clean, plaingougeof this sum out of the people’s strong box.Verb.(old).—1.Grosesays, ‘To squeeze out a man’s eye with the thumb, a cruel practice used by the Bostonians in America.’1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 49. His eyes having beengougedin a mountain fray.2. (American).—To defraud.1845.New York Tribune, 26 Nov. Very well, gentlemen!gougeMr. Crosby out of the seat, if you think it wholesome to do it.1874.W. D. Howells,Foregone Conclusions, ch. iii. The man’s a perfect Jew—or a perfect Christian, one ought to say in Venice; we true believers dogougeso much more infamously here.1885.Bret Harte,A Ship of ’49, ch. i. He’s regularlygougedme in that ’ere horsehair spekilation.Gouger,subs.(American).—A cheat; a swindler. For synonyms,seeRook.

Gone,adj.(colloquial).—1. Ruined; totally undone. Also,adv., an expression of completeness,e.g.,Gone beaver,corbie,coon,gander, orgoose= a man or an event past praying for:Cf.,Go upandGo down.1604.Shakspeare,Winter’s Tale, iv., 3. He must know ’tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we aregoneelse.[176]1843–4.Haliburton,Sam Slick in England, ch. xviii. If a bear comes after you, Sam, you must be up and doin’, or it’s agone goosewith you.1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 40. From that moment he wasgone beaver; he felt queer, he said, all over.1857.Notes and Queries, 2 S. iii., 519. To call a person agone corbie, is only to say in other words, it’s all up with him.1862.Clough,Poems. He had been into the schools; plucked almost; all but agone-coon.1863.C. Reade,Hard Cash, I., 178. I shall meet her again next week; will you come? Any friend of mine is welcome. Wish me joy, old fellow; I’m agone coon.Gone on,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Enamoured of; infatuated with;mashed on(q.v.);sweet on(q.v.). Generally in contempt. Fr.,aimer comme ses petits boyaux. For synonyms,seeSweet on.1887.John Strange Winter,That Imp, p. 44. He was a fine fellow, and no mistake. And wasgone onLady Lorrimor!1890.Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar. p. 10, c. 3. He must have been terriblygone onthis woman.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 113. ‘Poor chap, he’s very fargone,’ thought Jack.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 31. I’ll eat my old boots if she isn’t deadgone on.Goner, (orGones,Gonus, orGoney),subs.(American).—1. A fool; a simpleton. AlsoGauney(q.v.). For synonyms,seeBuffleorCabbage-head.1857.Punch, 31 Jan. But the lark’s when agoneyup with us they shut, As ain’t up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut.1860.Haliburton,Sam Slick, ‘The Season Ticket,’ No. X. ‘It’s only grief, Nabby dear, my heart is broke.’ ‘Is that all, yougoney?’ says she, ‘it’s lucky your precious neck ain’t broke.’a.1871.The Dartmouth, vol. iv. One day I heard a Senior call a fellow agonus. ‘Gonus,’ echoed I, ‘what does that mean?’‘Oh,’ said he, ‘you’re a Freshman, and don’t understand. A stupid fellow, a dolt, a boot-jack, an ignoramus, is here called agonus. All Freshmen,’ he continued gravely, ‘aregonuses.’2. (colloquial).—A person past recovery, utterly ruined, or done for in any way.1876.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain),Tom Sawyer, p. 99. ‘Yes, but she ain’t dead; and, what’s more, she’s getting better too.’ ‘All right, you wait and see. She’s agoner, just as dead sure as Muff Potter’s agoner.’1888.Cincinnati Enquirer.Fortunately, she did not see me, or else I should have been agoner.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 261. ‘Make a noise or follow me, and you’re agoner,’ said Smirk.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 212. A few more of her meddlings and she’s agoner, that’s what she is.Gong(orGong-house),subs.(old).—A privy. For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales. ‘The Parsons Tale’ [Riverside Ed. (1880)], ii., 241. Thise fool wommen, that mowe be likned to a communegong, whereas men purgen hire ordure.Gong-farmer(orGong-man),subs.(old).—An emptier of cesspools; agold-finder(q.v.).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Curadestri, a iakes,goong, or doong farmer.Gonof(orGonnoforGonophorGnof),subs.(thieves’).—1. A thief; specifically a pick-pocket, and especially an adept. [From the Hebrew. Ancient English; a legacy from the old time Jews. It came into use again with the moderns who employ it commonly.Cf.,gonov= thief in Ex. xxii, 2 and 6, viz., ‘if thegonovbe found.’]SeeThieves.1857.Dickens,On Duty with Inspector Field, in ‘Reprinted Pieces’ p. 256. If the smallestgonophabout town were crouching at the bottom of a classic bath Inspector Field would nose him.[177]1849.Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov. A burglar would not condescend to sit among pickpockets. My informant has known a housebreaker to say with a sneer, when requested to sit down with thegonoffs, ‘No, no, I may be a thief, but at least I’m a respectable one.’1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 325. Thegonaff(a Hebrew word signifying a young thief, probably learnt from the Jew ‘fences’ in the neighbourhood).1852.Judson,Myst., etc., of New York, ch. vii. He next assumed his present profession, and became agnofor pickpocket.1876.Hindley,Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 146. Oh, you tief! you cheat! yougonnof!1889.Referee, 12 May.Gonophs… were frequent in Tattersall’s on Friday.1889.C. T. ClarksonandJ. Hall Richardson,Police, p. 321. Boys who creep into houses.… Young gunneffs orgonophs.2. (old).—A bumpkin; a churl; a clumsy hand; a shameless simpleton.1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales, 3187–8. Whilom there was, dwelling in Oxenforde, A richgnof, that gertes helde to borde.c.1547.Song(quoted by Hotten). The countrygnoffes, Hob, Dick, and Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon, Shall fill up Dussin Dale With slaughtered bodies soone.Verb(old).—To wheedle; to cheat; to steal.Gonophing,subs.(thieves’).—Picking pockets.1857.Dickens,The Detective Police, in ‘Reprinted Pieces,’ p. 240. From the swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics of cracksmen, fences … designing young people who go outgonophing, and other ‘schools.’Gooby,subs.(common).—A simpleton; a blockhead. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. Why, you oldgooby, Mister Sloper will pay us twice as much for the ducks.Good!subs.(printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’Adj.(colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’;e.g., He isgoodfor any amount. Also, expert.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 3. Antonio is agoodman: my meaning in saying that he is agoodman, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.1824.Reynolds,Peter Corcoran, 91Goodwith both hands and only ten stone four.Good goods,in. pl.,subs. phr.(sporting).—Something worth trying for; a success. In the superlative, ‘best’goods.1886.Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4. He was a nice young man for a small tea party, And rathergood goodsat a Sunday-school treat.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 39.There’sWarner in ‘Drink’; now, that’s business,good goodsand no error.Bit(orPiece)of Goods,subs. phr.(common).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Good old…adj. phr.(popular).—A familiar address, derisive or affectionate according to circumstances.Seequots.1891.Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘Good old Mary Anne!’!!!Ibid.The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and, sniffing in the smoke, cried,good old London. This is a true story.Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin … rouses mirth by … exclaiminggood old spot!as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds painted over his right optic.[178]1892.Chevalier‘The Little Nipper.’ ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’ And ’is father ‘good oldpally,’ And ’e only stands about so ’igh, that’s all!To feel good,verb. phr.(American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.1887.Proctor[inKnowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to accept it by the plea that it would make himfeel good.1888.Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday afternoon, and the menfeelprettygoodbefore they come abroad.To be in one’s good books,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To be in favour; in good opinion. Conversely,To be in one’s bad books= To be in disfavour.SeeBook.Good at it(orat the Game),adj. phr.(venery).—An expert bedfellow, male or female.To have a good swim.—SeeSwim.For good(orFor good and all),adv. phr.(colloquial).—Completely; entirely; finally.1673.Wycherley,Gent. Danc. Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I went, I would gofor good and all.1693.Congreve,Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3.Sharp.Faith, e’en give her overfor good and all: you can have no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.1875.Ouida,Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up to the hills with Bruno, and stayed therefor good and all.Good as Wheat.—SeeWheat.Good as ever pissed,phr.(venery).—A qualification of extreme excellence.1719.Durfey,Pills,etc., ii., 260. And she isas goodfor the gameas e’er pissed.Good as a Play.—SeePlay.Good as Gold,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.As good as they make ’em.—SeeMake ’em.Good-bye, John!phr.(American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.Good cess,subs. phr.(Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of ‘success.’)Bad Cess= the reverse.1845.Buckstone,Green Bushes, i., 1.All.Bravo, Paddy!Good cessto ye, Paddy! Hurrah!Goodfellow(orGood Boy, orGood Man),subs.(old).—1. A roysterer; a boon companion.1570.Ascham,Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been agood fellowin his youth.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Good Fellow, a Pot companion or Friend of the Bottle.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports, according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer; at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though but rarely, a virtuous man.1822.Scott,Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is agood boy.2. (old).—A thief.SeeThieves.1608.Middleton,Trick to Catch the Old One, ii., 1.Luc.Welcome,good fellow.Host.He calls me thief at first sight. [Footnote in ‘Mermaid Series’ Ed.Good fellowwas then the cant term for a thief.][179]1870.Evening Standard, 11 Feb. ‘Police Report.’ Police detective said that he believed the two prisoners weregood men. In reply to the magistrate he explained that he meant they were old thieves.Good Girl(orGood One),adj. phr.(old).—A wanton.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Gaultière—A whore, punke, drab, queane, gill, flirt, strumpet, cockatrice, mad wench, common hackney,good one.Goodman,subs.(old).—1. A gaoler; adubsman(q.v.).1721–2.Woodrow,History, ii., 636. Thegoodmanof the Tolbooth came to him in his chamber, and told him he might save his life, if he would sign the petition.2. (colloquial).—The devil. For synonyms,seeSkipper.Goodman-turd,subs.(old).—A contemptible fellow; abad-egg(q.v.).1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes.Dometa, an old worde for a shitten fellow, orgoodman-turde.Good Night!intj. phr.(general).—A retort to an incredible statement or a delightful piece of news.SeeCarry me out!Good-people,subs.(old colloquial).—The fairies.1828.G. Griffin,Collegians, ch. v. An nothin’ shows itself now by night, neither spirits norgood people.1848.Forster,Oliver Goldsmith, bk. I., ch. 1, p. 8 (5th ed.). A small old parsonage house (supposed afterwards to be haunted by the fairies, orgood peopleof the district).1891.R. L. Stevenson,Kidnapped, p. 168. ‘Did ever ye hear tell of the story of the Man and theGood People?’—by which he meant the fairies.Good(orGood Old)Sort,subs. phr.(popular).—A man of social and other parts.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 149. Had we not better make a clean breast of it, and trust to his generosity; he seems agood sort?Good Thing,subs. phr.(colloquial).—Something worth having or backing; abon mot;good goods(q.v.). In racing a presumedcert(q.v.).1844.Puck, p. 63. Here’s to thegood thingwhose neatness we prize.1884.Saturday Review, 2 Aug., p. 147, c. 2. The Goodwood Stakes was considered agood thingfor Florence, who has proved herself to be an extraordinary mare.1888.Sporting Life, 10 Dec. In a field of four, Livingstone, who was voted agood thing, was served up a warm favourite.1891.Daily Telegraph, 21 Mar. It had been generally anticipated that this was agood thingfor Oxford.1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. That them as trades in rags and bones Makes more than them as writesgood things.Good Time,subs. phr.(old).—A carouse; a friendly gathering; an enjoyable bout at anything.To have a good time,verb. phr.(old).—To be fortunate or lucky; to enjoy oneself; to make merry.SeeCocum.1596.Jonson,Every Man in His Humour, i., 2. As not ten housewives pewter, again agood time, shews more bright to the world than he! [= some festival, ‘when housewives are careful to set out their furniture to the best advantage.’—Note by Whalley, given in Cunningham’s Gifford’sJonson(1870)].1863.A. Trollope,Rachel Ray, ii., 6., 109. Eating cake and drinking currant wine, but not having, on the whole, what our American friends call agood timeof it.1864.Yates,Broken to Harness, ch. xxxviii. And what have you been doing? Had agood time?1883.Bret Harte,In the Carquinez Woods, ch. ix. But we must keep it dark until after I marry Nellie, don’t you see. Then we’ll have agood timeall round, and I’ll stand the drinks.[180]1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 14. My idea of man’s chief end was to enrich the world with things of beauty, and have a fairlygood timemyself while doing so.Good ’un,subs. phr.(colloquial).—1. A man, woman, or thing of decided and undoubted merit.Cf.,Good-girl.1828–45.T. Hood,Poems, vi., p. 254 [ed. 1846]. Agood ’unto look at but bad to go.1854.MartinandAytoun,Bon Gaultier Ballads. ‘The Dirge of a Drinker.’ Like agood ’unas he is.1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 160. He’s a realgood un, and when his party plank the stuff down it’s generally a moral.2. (colloquial).—An expression of derisive unbelief:e.g., a lie.SeeWhopper.Good-wooled,adj. phr.(American).—Of unflinching courage; of the greatest merit; thoroughly dependable.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Goody,subs.(popular).—1. A matron: the correllative ofgoodman= husband. (Used likeauntie, andmother, andgammer, in addressing or describing an inferior.) (A corruption ofgood-wife).1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Mona, … Also a nickname for women as we say gammer,goodie, goodwife, such a one.1689.Accts. of the Churchwardens of Sprowston.PaidgoodyCrabbin for washing the surplis and church powrch, 1s.3d.d.1732.Gay.Swarm’d on a rotten stick the bees I spy’d Which erst I saw whengoodyDopon dy’d.d.1745.Swift.Plaingoodywould no longer down: ’Twas Madam in her grogram gown.1802.Bloomfield,Rural Tales, ‘Richard and Kate.’ Come,Goody, stop your humdrum wheel.1816.Johnson,Eng. Dict.s.v. A low term of civility used to mean persons.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Witches’ Frolic.’ OldGoodyPrice, Had got something nice.HenceGoodyship= ‘ladyship.’1663.Butler,Hudibras, pt. 1, c. 3. The more shame for hergoodyship, To give so near a friend the slip.2. (colloquial).—A religious hypocrite, male or female; the ‘unco guid’ of Burns.1836.Kidd,London Ambulator, p. 14. Clapham is celebrated forgoodies—ladies of a certain age, who not having succeeded in finessing for husbands, betake themselves to a religious life as adernier resort.Hencegoody-goodyism= sentimental piety.1892.Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Nov., p. 3., c. 1. The Christmas tale of adventure … has perhaps cast off its element ofgoody-goodyism, but the general features and cast are as of old.3. generallyin. pl.(colloquial).—Sweetmeats; bon-bons; cakes and buns.1853.Mayhew,Letters Left at a Pastrycook’s. Propped up on each side with bags of oranges, cakes, andgoodies.1855.H. A. Murray,Lands of the Slave and the Free, ch. xii. Adjourning from time to time to some café for the purpose of eating ices or suckinggoodies.4. (American).—The kernel of a nut.Adj.(colloquial).—Well-meaning but petty; officiously pious.Alsogoody-goody.1864.D. W. Thompson,Daydreams of a Schoolmaster, p. 230. I would rather they were not too good; orgoody. Let us have a little naughtiness, sprinkled in at intervals.1892.S. Watson,Wops the Waif, p. 7. He knew well enough the whole of this enterprise had sprung from agoody-goodyidea of ‘doing something,’ born of impulse and whim.Goodyear,subs.(old).—The pox. (A corruption of gougeer, fromgouge= a soldier’s trull). For synonyms,seeLadies’ Fever.1605.Shakspeare,Lear, v., 3. Thegoodyearsshall devour them.[181]Gook,subs.(American).—A low prostitute. For synonyms,seeBarrack HackandTart.Goose,subs.(common).—1. A tailor’s smoothing iron. (Whose handle is shaped like the neck of the bird.) Hence the old ditton, ‘A taylor be he ever so poor is sure to have a goose at his fire.’—Grose.Fr.,un gendarme.1606.Shakspeare,Macbeth, ii., 3. Come in, taylor; here you may roast yourgoose.1606.Dekker,Newes from Hell, in Wks. (Grosart) ii., 114. Every man being armed with his sheeres and pressing Iron, which he calls there hisgoose.1638.Randolph,Hey for Honesty. …Tailor.Oh! it is an age that, like the Ostrich, makes me feed on my owngoose.1703.Ward,London Spy, pt. xii., p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher’sgoose.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Goose(s.) … also the large, heavy iron used by taylors, to press down their seams with when heated very hot.1766.Kenrick,Falstaff’s Wedding, iii., 1. Although they had been hissing all the way like a tailor’sgoose.1861.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has had a slight dispute with his wife the night before, and has corporeally chastised her with a hotgoose—a tailor’sgoose, be it understood—to the extent of all but fracturing her skull.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the warders from their own breakfast, the tools—scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, orgeese—are served out.2. (common).—A simpleton: usually only of women. AlsoGoosecap(q.v.).1591.Shakspeare,Romeo and Juliet, ii., 4.Mercutio.Was I there with you for thegoose?Rom.Thou wast never with me that thou wast not for thegoose.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.3. (venery).—SeeWinchester Goose.4. (colloquial).—A reprimand; awigging(q.v.);cf.,verb, sense 1.1865.G. F. Berkeley,My Lifeetc., i., 276. On the adventure reaching the ears of the Duke of Wellington, the active experimentalist received considerablegoose.5. (printers’).—SeeWayz goose.6. (colloquial).—A woman: whence, by implication, the sexual favour.Verb.(common).—1. To hiss; to condemn by hissing. Alsoto get the gooseorthe big bird(q.v.). Among Fr. equivalents are:appelerorsiffler Azor(= to whistle a dog, Azor being a common canine appellation);boire une goutte(= to be goosed);attrapper;reconduire;se faire travailler;empoigner;éreinter;polisonner;égayer.1854.Dickens,Hard Times, ch. vi. He wasgoosedlast night, he wasgoosedthe night before last, he wasgoosedto-day.1858.Dickens,Xmas Stories(Going into Soc.), p. 67 (House. Ed.). Which makes you grind your teeth at him to his face, and which can hardly hold you fromgoosinghim audible when he’s going through his War-Dance.1873.Hornet, 29 Jan., p. 211, c. 2.Ferdin.Fact! My soul is sick on’t.Goosedlast night; My salary docked.1875.T. Frost,Circus Life, p. 281. Anartisteisgoosed, orgets the goose, when the spectators or auditors testify by sibillant sounds disapproval or dissatisfaction.1886.Graphic, 10 Apr., p. 399. To begoosed, or, as it is sometimes phrased, ‘to get the big bird,’ is occasionally a compliment to the actor’s power of representing villainy, but more often is disagreeably suggestive of a failure to please.2. (colloquial).—To ruin; to spoil.SeeCook one’s goose.[182]1888.Cassell’s Saturday Journal, 22 Dec., p. 301. We was pretty nighgoosed.3. (cobblers’).—To mend boots by putting on a new front half-way up, and a new bottom; elsewhere calledfootingboots.Cf.,Fox.4. (venery).—To go wenching; towomanize(q.v.).5. (venery).—To possess a woman.Goose Without Gravy,subs. phr.(nautical).—A severe but bloodless blow.SeeWipe.To be sound on the goose.verb. phr.(American).—Before the civil war, to be sound on the pro-slavery question: now, to be generally staunch on party matters; to be politically orthodox.1857.Providence Journal, 18 June. To seek for political flaws is no use, His opponents will find he issound on the goose.1857.Gladstone,Kansas: or Squatter Life, p. 43. One of the boys, I reckon?All right on the goose, eh? No highfaluten airs here, you know.1862.Lowell,Biglow Papers, II. Northern religion works wal North, but it’s ez suft ez spruce, compar’d to our’n for keepin’sound, sez she,upon the goose.1875.American EnglishinChamb. Journal, 25 Sept., p. 610. A man who can be depended upon by his party is said to besound on the goose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 22. He didn’t appear quite sosound on the gooseas he ought to ha’ done.To find fault with a fat goose,verb. phr.(old).—To grumble without rhyme or reason.—B. E. (1690).To kill the goose for the golden eggs,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To grasp at more than is due; to over-reach oneself. (From the Greek fable.)Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high,phr.SeeEverything.He’ll be a man among the geese when the gander is gone,phr.(old).—Ironical; = ‘He’ll be a man before his mother.’Go! shoe the goose,phr.(old).—A retort, derisive or incredulous = the modern ‘To hell and pump thunder.’Unable to say boh! to a goose,phr.(colloquial).—Said of a bashful person.—Grose.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 76. And now … he can hardlysay boh to a goose.SeealsoWild-goose Chase.Goose-and-Duck,subs. phr.(rhyming).—A fuck.Goose and Gridiron,subs.phr.(political American).—The American eagle, and the United States flag.SeeGridiron.1891.Standard, 3 Jan., p. 3, c. 1. This is curious, considering the almost fetish-like veneration entertained by the modern American for his Standard, which, coupled with the national bird, tempted the Loyalists in the early days of the war to vent endless rude witticisms on thegoose and gridiron.Gooseberry,subs.(common).—1. A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head. [Perhaps fromGooseberry Fool; as inGoldsmith’sRetaliation:—‘And by the same rule Magnanimous Goldsmith’s agooseberry fool.’]2. (common).—A chaperon; one who takes third place to save appearances or play propriety (q.v.); adaisy-orgooseberry-picker.[183]3. (common).—A marvellous tale; amunchausen(q.v.); a flim-flam. Alsogigantic, andgiant goosberry. HenceGooseberry season= the dull time of journalism, when the appearance of monstrous vegetables, sea serpents, showers of frogs, and other portents is chronicled in default of news.Cf.,silly season(q.v.).1870.Figaro, 22 June. If we have no biggooseberriesthis season, we have at least a big salmon.1871.Graphic, 22 Apr. Mr. Tupper excited a great deal of incredulity a few years ago by announcing in the prodigiousgoosberry seasonthat he had discovered an ancient Roman coin embedded in the heart of an oak tree.1885.Ill. London News, 18 July, p. 50, c. 2. Amongst journalists there is popularly known what they call ‘thegiant gooseberry season,’ the meaning of which is, that when Parliament has risen and the Law Courts are shut and subjects on which to write become scarce, adventurous spirits are apt to discourse in their newspapers of fruit of abnormal size, and other natural prodigies, which, according to current banter, exist only in their own imagination.4.in. pl.(venery).—The testicles. For synonyms,seeCods.To play(ordo)gooseberry,verb. phr.(common).—To play propriety; also to sit third in a hansom.1877.Hawley Smart,Play or Pay. ch. vi. To take care of a pretty girl, … with a sister todo gooseberry.1880.G. R. Sims,Jeph, p. 8. Mamma alwaysplayed gooseberryon these occasions.1883.Globe, 6 July, p. 1, c. 5. They will be compelled in self-defence to have a shorthand writer present toplay gooseberry, and to be able to furnish proof that their discourse was innocent.1892.J. McCarthyandMrs. Campbell-Praed,Ladies’ Gallery, p. 51. Well, I am not a good hand atplaying gooseberry, and I don’t like spoiling sport.To play old gooseberry,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To play the deuce; to upset or spoil; to throw everything into confusion; butseequot. 1811.Old Gooseberry= The devil (seeSkipper). [SeeNotes and Queries, 2 S x., 307, 376; xii., 336.]1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Gooseberry.Heplayed up old gooseberryamong them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance.1819.Moore,Tom Crib, p. 22. Willplay up old gooseberrysoon with them all.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.To play up gooseberry; children romping about the house or the parent rating them over.1837.Ingoldsby Legends.‘Bloudie Jacke of Shrewsberrie.’ There’s a pretty to-do! All the people of Shrewsburyplaying old gooseberryWith your choice bits of taste andvirtù.1865.H. Kingsley,Hillyars and the Burtons, ch. lxii.Lay on like old gooseberry.1892.Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We all know his capacity for playingold goosberrywith things in general.Gooseberry-eyed,adj.(old).—Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).Gooseberry-grinder,subs.(old).—The breech. For synonyms,seeMonocular eyeglass.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Gooseberry-grinder, s.v. Ask Bogey thegooseberry-grinder, ask mine a——e.Gooseberry Lay,subs. phr.(thieves’).—Stealing linen from a line.Gooseberry-picker,subs.(colloquial).—1. A person whose labour profits, and is credited to, another; aghost(q.v.).[184]2. (common).—A chaperon.SeeGooseberry,subs.sense 2.1884.Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the sensations of beinggooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.Gooseberry-pudding,subs.(rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.Gooseberry-wig,subs.(old).—A large frizzled wig. ‘Perhaps,’ saysGrose(s.v.), ‘from a supposed likeness to a gooseberry bush.’1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Goosecap,subs.(common).—A booby, male or female; anoodle. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1593.G. Harvey,Pierce’s Super. in wks. II., 72. A foole, an idiot, a dolt, agoose-capp, an asse, and soe fourth.1604.Dekker,Honest Wh.in wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you gulles, yougoose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters!1622.BeaumontandFletcher,Beggar’s Bush, iv., 4. Why, what agoose-capwouldst thou make me!1763.Foote,Mayor of Garratt, Act i. My husband is such agoose-capthat I can’t get no good out of him at home or abroad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A silly fellow or woman.Goose-(orGoose’s)Egg,subs.(American).—No score. AlsoGooser.SeeDuck.1886.New York Times, July. With nine unpalatablegoose-eggsin their contest.1889.Modern Society, 12 Oct., p. 1264. An enthusiastic lady cricketer has just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matrimonial match. ‘No, Mr. Brown, I cannot marry you. You score agooserthis time.’Goose-flesh(orGoose-skin),subs.(colloquial).—A peculiar tingling of the skin produced by cold, fear, etc.; the sensation described as ‘cold water down the back’; thecreeps(q.v.).1824.Miss Ferrier,Inheritance, ch. ii. Her skin began to rise into what is vulgarly termedgoose-skin.Goose-gog(orGoose-gob),subs.(common).—A gooseberry.Goose-grease,subs. phr.(venery).—A woman’sspendings(q.v.).SeeGoose,subs., sense 6.Goose-month,subs.(old).—The lying-in month.Cf.,Gander-month.Goose-persuader,subs.(common).—A tailor. For synonyms,seeSnip.Gooser,subs.(popular).—1. A settler; a knock-out blow; the act of death.SeeDigandWipe.1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. III., p. 133. It was he who saved my life. If it hadn’t been for him it would have been agooserwith me.1857.Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. In the event of my getting agooser.2. (sporting).—No score; agoose-egg(q.v.).3. (venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-Riding.SeeGander-pulling.Goose’s Gazette,subs.(old).—A lying story; a flim-flam tale; that is, a piece of reading for agoose, sense 2.[185]1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown … told him somegoose’s gazetteabout his being taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.Goose-shearer,subs.(common).—A beggar. For synonyms,seeCadger. [Fromgoose= simpleton +shearer= a cheater.]Goose’s-neck,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Goose-step,subs.(common).—Balancing on one foot and moving the other back and forwards without taking a step. [A preliminary in military drill, thepons asinorumof the raw recruit.] Also (more loosely) ‘marking time’: that is, lifting the feet alternately without advancing.1840.Tate’s Mag., Sept., p. 607.Whether the remarkable evolution [thegoose step] was called … from the nature of the operation requiring the exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation of the above-named animal, I am totally at a loss to say.1890.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. He won his spurs at Punchestown before he had mastered thegoose step.Goose-turd Green,adj.(old).—A light-yellowish green.—Cotgrave.Goosey-gander,subs.(common).—A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.Goosing-slum,subs.(American).—A brothel. [Goosing= womanizing; also copulating.] For synonyms,seeNanny-shop.Gopher,subs.(American).—1. A young thief; especially a boy employed by burglars to enter houses through windows, skylights, etc. [In natural historygopher= a burrowing squirrel.]2. (Southern States).—A rude wooden plough.Goree,subs.(old).—Money; specifically gold or gold-dust. From Fort Goree on the Gold Coast. For synonyms,seeActualandGilt.1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Gorge,subs.(vulgar).—1. A heavy meal; atuck-in(q.v.); ablow-out(q.v.).1553.Wilson,Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a fulgorge.1883.Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for agorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation ofgorger(q.v.).Verb(vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms,seeWolf.1572.Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889–91, ‘Lamentacioun,’ ii., 232.Gorgedwaters ever greater grows.1633.Massinger,New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2.Mar.Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you’ll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter’d toasts too.Greedy.This revives me: I willgorgethere sufficiently.1654.Chapman,Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o’ th’ shop cangorgetheir musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Gorge(v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably.[186]1843.Dickens,Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a word; every one had been intent, as usual, on his own privategorging; and the greater part of the company were decidedly dirty feeders.1853.Wh. Melville,Digby Grand, ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if they would only notgorgetheir food so rapidly.Gorger,subs.(vulgar).—1. A voracious eater; ascruncher(q.v.).Rotten gorger= a lad who hangs about Covent Garden eating refuse fruit.2. (common).—A well-dressed man; a gentleman. [Gypsy,gorgio= gentlemen.] Fr.,un gratiné.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Mung thegorger; beg child beg, of the gentleman.3. (common).—An employer; a principal: especially the manager of a theatre. [Perhaps because he takes (or gorges) all thefat(q.v.).] Alsocully-gorger. Fr.,amendier.1872.M. E. Braddon,Dead Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. Thegorger’sawful coally on his own slumming, eh?… I mean to say that our friend the manager is rather sweet upon his own acting.4. (old).—A neckerchief. [From gorge = throat.]1320–30.Gawaine, 957. That other wyth agorgerwatz gored ouer the swyre.Gorgonzola Hall,subs. phr.(Stock Exchange).—Formerly the New Hall; now the corporation generally. [From the colour of the marble.]1887.Atkin,House Scraps,Gorgonzola Hallgot turned into New Billingsgate.Gorm,verb. (American University).—Togorge(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWolf.I’m gormed,phr.(popular).—A profane oath.SeeGaum.1849.Dickens,David Copperfield, ch. iii. If it [his generosity] were ever referred to, … he struck the table a heavy blow with his right hand (had split it on one such occasion), and swore a dreadful oath thathe would be gormedif he didn’t cut and run for good, if it was ever mentioned again.1883.Punch, May 19, p. 230, c. 2. Why, of course I hardly expects to be believed, butI’m gormedif there was more than six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.1884.Julian Sturgis, inLongman’s Mag., iii., 623. ‘Gormedif there ain’t that old parson again!’ cried Henry, with enthusiasm.Gormagon,subs.(old).—Seequots.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses, and a cunt upon its back; a man on horseback with a woman behind him.1892.Fennell,Stanford Dict., s.v.,Gormagon… a member of an English Secret Society which existed in the second quarter of 18 c.Gormy-ruddles,subs.(common).—The intestines.Gorram(orGoram).—SeeByGoldam.Gorry.—SeeBy Gorry!Goschens,subs.(Stock Exchange).—The 2¾ per cent. Government Stock created by Mr. Goschen in 1888.1889.Man of the World, 29 June. The nicknameGoschensis going out of fashion. The new 2¾ stock is now called by the old name.1891.Punch, 4 Apr. Securities yielding a larger return than 2¾Goschens.Gosh,seeby gosh.Gospel,subs.(colloquial).—1. Anything offered as absolutely true. Alsogospel-truth.[187]1862.H. Kingsley,Ravenshoe, ch. lx. She is a good young woman, and a honest young woman in her way, and what she says this night about her brother isgospel-truth.1864.Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently unable to resist the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a tone which carried the impress of veracity with it, ‘Gospel.’1891.N. Gould, Double Event, p. 175. It was true asgospel.To do gospel,verb. phr.(common).—To go to church.Gospel-gab,subs.(common).—Insincere talk concerning religion; cant.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a littlegospel-gaband howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.Gospel-Grinder(-postillion,-sharp, or-shark),subs.(common).—A clergyman or missionary. For synonyms,seedevil-dodgerandsky-pilot;—French Synonyms.—La forêt noire(thieves’ = the black forest);une entonne ramparte(thieves’);entonner= to intone;une antiffle(thieves’);une cavée(thieves’ = a black hole);une chique(thieves’).Spanish Synonym.—Salud.Italian Synonyms.—Balza;balzana.1869.S. L. Clemens,Innocents at Home, p. 19. ‘A what!’ ‘Gospel-sharp—parson.’ ‘Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.’1877.BesantandRice,Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a ConnecticutGospel-grinderin his village location.Gospeller,subs.(colloquial).—An Evangelist preacher; in contempt. AlsoHot-gospeller(= a preaching fanatic.)Gospel-mill(or-shop),subs.(common).—A church or chapel. Alsoschism-shopanddoxology-works(q.v.).1782.Geo. Parker,Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; EachGospel-shopringing a daily change.1791.Life of J. Lackington, Letter xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging and work my next enquiry was for Mr. Wesley’sGospel-shops.1852.Judson,Mysteries of New York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about that eregospel-shopas you was agoin for to crack last week.1869.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain)Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you the duck that runs thegospel-millnext door.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 35. It’s allgospel-shopgruel.Goss(orGossamer),subs.(common).—A hat. (At first a make of peculiar lightness called afour-and-nine(q.v.).) In quot. 1836 = a white hat. For synonyms,seeGolgotha.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xii. ‘That’s one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that’s another—wentilationgossamerI calls it.’ On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.1838.Jas. Grant,Sketches in London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger inquired whether the hat was ‘a vashing beaver von?’ while a fourth inquired whether it was ‘agossamerventilator?’1851.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. I have sold hats from 6d. to 3s. 6d., but very seldom 3s. 6d. The 3s. 6d. ones would wear out two newgossamers, I know.1884.A. Lang,Much Darker Days, p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there all battered and crushed on the white snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan! … who else would wear the gaygossamerof July in stormy December?[188]1888.Harper’s Magazine, LXXVII., 139. Flinging off hisgossamerand hanging it up to drip into the pan of the hat rack.To give(orget)goss,verb. phr.(American).—To requite an injury; to kill; to go strong; to get an opportunity; toput in big licks(q.v.). Sometimes ejaculatory, as ‘Give me goss and let me rip!’1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 75.Gin him gosswithout sweetin.1847.Darley,Drama in Porterville, p. 114. Divers hints passed from one to another among the more excitable citizens, that ‘Old Sol’ was going toget goss, sure.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc., p. 115. Shouts of ‘Fair play,’ ‘Turn ’em out,’ ‘Give him goss,’ were heard on all sides.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, II., 261. Ef I don’t, the old man willgive me gosswhen I go back.Gossoon,subs.(colloquial Irish).—A boy. [A corruption of Fr.,garçon= a boy.]Gotch-gutted,adj.(old).—Pot-bellied; ‘a gotch in Norfolk, signifying a pitcher or large round jug.’—Grose.Got ’em Bad,phr.(common).—A superlative of earnestness or excessiveness:e.g., anyone doing his work thoroughly, a horse straining every nerve, a very sick person, especially a patient in thehorrors(q.v.), is said to havegot ’em bad.Got ’em On(orAll On),phr.(common).—Dressed in the height of fashion.SeeRigged Out.1880.Punch, 28 Aug., p. 90.188(?).Broadside Ballad, ‘’Arry.’ Where are you going on Sunday, ’Arry, now you’vegot ’em on?188(?).Broadside Ballad. ‘He’sgot ’em on.’Goth,subs.(common).—A frumpish or uncultured person; one behind the times or ignorant of the ways of society.1712.Spectator, No. 367. But I shall never sink this paper so far as to engage withGothsand Vandals.1751.Smollett,Peregrine Pickle, ch. lxi. You yourself are aGoth… to treat with such disrespect a production which … will, when finished, be a masterpiece of its kind.1865.Ouida,Strathmore, ch. ii. For God’s sake don’t suppose me such aGoththat I should fall in love with a dairymaid, Strath!Gotham,subs.(common).—New York City.Gothamite, a New Yorker. [First used by Washington Irving inSalmagundi(1807).]1852.Jutson,Mysteries of New York. ch. xiii. One of the vilest of all hells inGotham.1852.Bristed,Upper Ten Thousand, p. 37. The first thing, as a general rule, that a youngGothamitedoes is to get a horse.Gothic,adj.(old).—SeeGoth.1700.Congreve,The Way of the World, iv. 4. Ah, rustic, ruder thanGothic!1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, ii., 8. Why, with his usualGothicvivacity, he said I only wanted him to throw off his wig to convert it into atêtefor my own wearing.Go-to-meeting Bags(orClothes,Dress, etc.),subs. phr.(common).—Best clothes. [As worn on Sundays, or holiday occasions.]1837–40.Haliburton,The Clockmaker, p. 243 (Ed. 1862). If he hadn’t hisgo-to-meetin’ dressand looks on this day to the jury, it’s a pity.1854.Bradley,Verdant Green, Pt. II., p. 5. Besides his blackgo-to-meeting bagsplease to observe the peculiarity, etc.[189]1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s Schooldays, pt.II., ch. v. I want to give you a true picture of what every-day school life was in my time, and not a kid-glove andgo-to-meeting-coatpicture.1857.Kingsley,Two Years Ago. Looks right well in hergo-to-meeting clothes.Gouge,subs.(American).—An imposture; a swindle; a method of cheating.1845.New York Tribune, 10 Dec. R—— and H—— will probably receive from Mr. Polk’s administration $100,000 more than respectable printers would have done the work for. There is a clean, plaingougeof this sum out of the people’s strong box.Verb.(old).—1.Grosesays, ‘To squeeze out a man’s eye with the thumb, a cruel practice used by the Bostonians in America.’1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 49. His eyes having beengougedin a mountain fray.2. (American).—To defraud.1845.New York Tribune, 26 Nov. Very well, gentlemen!gougeMr. Crosby out of the seat, if you think it wholesome to do it.1874.W. D. Howells,Foregone Conclusions, ch. iii. The man’s a perfect Jew—or a perfect Christian, one ought to say in Venice; we true believers dogougeso much more infamously here.1885.Bret Harte,A Ship of ’49, ch. i. He’s regularlygougedme in that ’ere horsehair spekilation.Gouger,subs.(American).—A cheat; a swindler. For synonyms,seeRook.

Gone,adj.(colloquial).—1. Ruined; totally undone. Also,adv., an expression of completeness,e.g.,Gone beaver,corbie,coon,gander, orgoose= a man or an event past praying for:Cf.,Go upandGo down.

1604.Shakspeare,Winter’s Tale, iv., 3. He must know ’tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we aregoneelse.[176]

1843–4.Haliburton,Sam Slick in England, ch. xviii. If a bear comes after you, Sam, you must be up and doin’, or it’s agone goosewith you.

1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 40. From that moment he wasgone beaver; he felt queer, he said, all over.

1857.Notes and Queries, 2 S. iii., 519. To call a person agone corbie, is only to say in other words, it’s all up with him.

1862.Clough,Poems. He had been into the schools; plucked almost; all but agone-coon.

1863.C. Reade,Hard Cash, I., 178. I shall meet her again next week; will you come? Any friend of mine is welcome. Wish me joy, old fellow; I’m agone coon.

Gone on,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Enamoured of; infatuated with;mashed on(q.v.);sweet on(q.v.). Generally in contempt. Fr.,aimer comme ses petits boyaux. For synonyms,seeSweet on.

1887.John Strange Winter,That Imp, p. 44. He was a fine fellow, and no mistake. And wasgone onLady Lorrimor!

1890.Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar. p. 10, c. 3. He must have been terriblygone onthis woman.

1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 113. ‘Poor chap, he’s very fargone,’ thought Jack.

1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 31. I’ll eat my old boots if she isn’t deadgone on.

Goner, (orGones,Gonus, orGoney),subs.(American).—1. A fool; a simpleton. AlsoGauney(q.v.). For synonyms,seeBuffleorCabbage-head.

1857.Punch, 31 Jan. But the lark’s when agoneyup with us they shut, As ain’t up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut.

1860.Haliburton,Sam Slick, ‘The Season Ticket,’ No. X. ‘It’s only grief, Nabby dear, my heart is broke.’ ‘Is that all, yougoney?’ says she, ‘it’s lucky your precious neck ain’t broke.’

a.1871.The Dartmouth, vol. iv. One day I heard a Senior call a fellow agonus. ‘Gonus,’ echoed I, ‘what does that mean?’‘Oh,’ said he, ‘you’re a Freshman, and don’t understand. A stupid fellow, a dolt, a boot-jack, an ignoramus, is here called agonus. All Freshmen,’ he continued gravely, ‘aregonuses.’

2. (colloquial).—A person past recovery, utterly ruined, or done for in any way.

1876.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain),Tom Sawyer, p. 99. ‘Yes, but she ain’t dead; and, what’s more, she’s getting better too.’ ‘All right, you wait and see. She’s agoner, just as dead sure as Muff Potter’s agoner.’

1888.Cincinnati Enquirer.Fortunately, she did not see me, or else I should have been agoner.

1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 261. ‘Make a noise or follow me, and you’re agoner,’ said Smirk.

1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 212. A few more of her meddlings and she’s agoner, that’s what she is.

Gong(orGong-house),subs.(old).—A privy. For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.

1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales. ‘The Parsons Tale’ [Riverside Ed. (1880)], ii., 241. Thise fool wommen, that mowe be likned to a communegong, whereas men purgen hire ordure.

Gong-farmer(orGong-man),subs.(old).—An emptier of cesspools; agold-finder(q.v.).

1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Curadestri, a iakes,goong, or doong farmer.

Gonof(orGonnoforGonophorGnof),subs.(thieves’).—1. A thief; specifically a pick-pocket, and especially an adept. [From the Hebrew. Ancient English; a legacy from the old time Jews. It came into use again with the moderns who employ it commonly.Cf.,gonov= thief in Ex. xxii, 2 and 6, viz., ‘if thegonovbe found.’]SeeThieves.

1857.Dickens,On Duty with Inspector Field, in ‘Reprinted Pieces’ p. 256. If the smallestgonophabout town were crouching at the bottom of a classic bath Inspector Field would nose him.[177]

1849.Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov. A burglar would not condescend to sit among pickpockets. My informant has known a housebreaker to say with a sneer, when requested to sit down with thegonoffs, ‘No, no, I may be a thief, but at least I’m a respectable one.’

1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 325. Thegonaff(a Hebrew word signifying a young thief, probably learnt from the Jew ‘fences’ in the neighbourhood).

1852.Judson,Myst., etc., of New York, ch. vii. He next assumed his present profession, and became agnofor pickpocket.

1876.Hindley,Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 146. Oh, you tief! you cheat! yougonnof!

1889.Referee, 12 May.Gonophs… were frequent in Tattersall’s on Friday.

1889.C. T. ClarksonandJ. Hall Richardson,Police, p. 321. Boys who creep into houses.… Young gunneffs orgonophs.

2. (old).—A bumpkin; a churl; a clumsy hand; a shameless simpleton.

1383.Chaucer,Canterbury Tales, 3187–8. Whilom there was, dwelling in Oxenforde, A richgnof, that gertes helde to borde.

c.1547.Song(quoted by Hotten). The countrygnoffes, Hob, Dick, and Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon, Shall fill up Dussin Dale With slaughtered bodies soone.

Verb(old).—To wheedle; to cheat; to steal.

Gonophing,subs.(thieves’).—Picking pockets.

1857.Dickens,The Detective Police, in ‘Reprinted Pieces,’ p. 240. From the swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics of cracksmen, fences … designing young people who go outgonophing, and other ‘schools.’

Gooby,subs.(common).—A simpleton; a blockhead. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.

1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. Why, you oldgooby, Mister Sloper will pay us twice as much for the ducks.

Good!subs.(printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’

Adj.(colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’;e.g., He isgoodfor any amount. Also, expert.

1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 3. Antonio is agoodman: my meaning in saying that he is agoodman, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.

1824.Reynolds,Peter Corcoran, 91Goodwith both hands and only ten stone four.

Good goods,in. pl.,subs. phr.(sporting).—Something worth trying for; a success. In the superlative, ‘best’goods.

1886.Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4. He was a nice young man for a small tea party, And rathergood goodsat a Sunday-school treat.

1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 39.There’sWarner in ‘Drink’; now, that’s business,good goodsand no error.

Bit(orPiece)of Goods,subs. phr.(common).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.

Good old…adj. phr.(popular).—A familiar address, derisive or affectionate according to circumstances.Seequots.

1891.Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘Good old Mary Anne!’!!!

Ibid.The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and, sniffing in the smoke, cried,good old London. This is a true story.

Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin … rouses mirth by … exclaiminggood old spot!as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds painted over his right optic.[178]

1892.Chevalier‘The Little Nipper.’ ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’ And ’is father ‘good oldpally,’ And ’e only stands about so ’igh, that’s all!

To feel good,verb. phr.(American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.

1887.Proctor[inKnowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to accept it by the plea that it would make himfeel good.

1888.Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday afternoon, and the menfeelprettygoodbefore they come abroad.

To be in one’s good books,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To be in favour; in good opinion. Conversely,To be in one’s bad books= To be in disfavour.SeeBook.

Good at it(orat the Game),adj. phr.(venery).—An expert bedfellow, male or female.

To have a good swim.—SeeSwim.

For good(orFor good and all),adv. phr.(colloquial).—Completely; entirely; finally.

1673.Wycherley,Gent. Danc. Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I went, I would gofor good and all.

1693.Congreve,Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3.Sharp.Faith, e’en give her overfor good and all: you can have no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.

1875.Ouida,Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up to the hills with Bruno, and stayed therefor good and all.

Good as Wheat.—SeeWheat.

Good as ever pissed,phr.(venery).—A qualification of extreme excellence.

1719.Durfey,Pills,etc., ii., 260. And she isas goodfor the gameas e’er pissed.

Good as a Play.—SeePlay.

Good as Gold,adv. phr.(colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.

As good as they make ’em.—SeeMake ’em.

Good-bye, John!phr.(American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.

Good cess,subs. phr.(Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of ‘success.’)Bad Cess= the reverse.

1845.Buckstone,Green Bushes, i., 1.All.Bravo, Paddy!Good cessto ye, Paddy! Hurrah!

Goodfellow(orGood Boy, orGood Man),subs.(old).—1. A roysterer; a boon companion.

1570.Ascham,Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been agood fellowin his youth.

1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Good Fellow, a Pot companion or Friend of the Bottle.

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports, according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer; at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though but rarely, a virtuous man.

1822.Scott,Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is agood boy.

2. (old).—A thief.SeeThieves.

1608.Middleton,Trick to Catch the Old One, ii., 1.Luc.Welcome,good fellow.Host.He calls me thief at first sight. [Footnote in ‘Mermaid Series’ Ed.Good fellowwas then the cant term for a thief.][179]

1870.Evening Standard, 11 Feb. ‘Police Report.’ Police detective said that he believed the two prisoners weregood men. In reply to the magistrate he explained that he meant they were old thieves.

Good Girl(orGood One),adj. phr.(old).—A wanton.

1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Gaultière—A whore, punke, drab, queane, gill, flirt, strumpet, cockatrice, mad wench, common hackney,good one.

Goodman,subs.(old).—1. A gaoler; adubsman(q.v.).

1721–2.Woodrow,History, ii., 636. Thegoodmanof the Tolbooth came to him in his chamber, and told him he might save his life, if he would sign the petition.

2. (colloquial).—The devil. For synonyms,seeSkipper.

Goodman-turd,subs.(old).—A contemptible fellow; abad-egg(q.v.).

1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes.Dometa, an old worde for a shitten fellow, orgoodman-turde.

Good Night!intj. phr.(general).—A retort to an incredible statement or a delightful piece of news.SeeCarry me out!

Good-people,subs.(old colloquial).—The fairies.

1828.G. Griffin,Collegians, ch. v. An nothin’ shows itself now by night, neither spirits norgood people.

1848.Forster,Oliver Goldsmith, bk. I., ch. 1, p. 8 (5th ed.). A small old parsonage house (supposed afterwards to be haunted by the fairies, orgood peopleof the district).

1891.R. L. Stevenson,Kidnapped, p. 168. ‘Did ever ye hear tell of the story of the Man and theGood People?’—by which he meant the fairies.

Good(orGood Old)Sort,subs. phr.(popular).—A man of social and other parts.

1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 149. Had we not better make a clean breast of it, and trust to his generosity; he seems agood sort?

Good Thing,subs. phr.(colloquial).—Something worth having or backing; abon mot;good goods(q.v.). In racing a presumedcert(q.v.).

1844.Puck, p. 63. Here’s to thegood thingwhose neatness we prize.

1884.Saturday Review, 2 Aug., p. 147, c. 2. The Goodwood Stakes was considered agood thingfor Florence, who has proved herself to be an extraordinary mare.

1888.Sporting Life, 10 Dec. In a field of four, Livingstone, who was voted agood thing, was served up a warm favourite.

1891.Daily Telegraph, 21 Mar. It had been generally anticipated that this was agood thingfor Oxford.

1892.Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. That them as trades in rags and bones Makes more than them as writesgood things.

Good Time,subs. phr.(old).—A carouse; a friendly gathering; an enjoyable bout at anything.

To have a good time,verb. phr.(old).—To be fortunate or lucky; to enjoy oneself; to make merry.SeeCocum.

1596.Jonson,Every Man in His Humour, i., 2. As not ten housewives pewter, again agood time, shews more bright to the world than he! [= some festival, ‘when housewives are careful to set out their furniture to the best advantage.’—Note by Whalley, given in Cunningham’s Gifford’sJonson(1870)].

1863.A. Trollope,Rachel Ray, ii., 6., 109. Eating cake and drinking currant wine, but not having, on the whole, what our American friends call agood timeof it.

1864.Yates,Broken to Harness, ch. xxxviii. And what have you been doing? Had agood time?

1883.Bret Harte,In the Carquinez Woods, ch. ix. But we must keep it dark until after I marry Nellie, don’t you see. Then we’ll have agood timeall round, and I’ll stand the drinks.[180]

1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 14. My idea of man’s chief end was to enrich the world with things of beauty, and have a fairlygood timemyself while doing so.

Good ’un,subs. phr.(colloquial).—1. A man, woman, or thing of decided and undoubted merit.Cf.,Good-girl.

1828–45.T. Hood,Poems, vi., p. 254 [ed. 1846]. Agood ’unto look at but bad to go.

1854.MartinandAytoun,Bon Gaultier Ballads. ‘The Dirge of a Drinker.’ Like agood ’unas he is.

1891.N. Gould,Double Event, p. 160. He’s a realgood un, and when his party plank the stuff down it’s generally a moral.

2. (colloquial).—An expression of derisive unbelief:e.g., a lie.SeeWhopper.

Good-wooled,adj. phr.(American).—Of unflinching courage; of the greatest merit; thoroughly dependable.

1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.

Goody,subs.(popular).—1. A matron: the correllative ofgoodman= husband. (Used likeauntie, andmother, andgammer, in addressing or describing an inferior.) (A corruption ofgood-wife).

1598.Florio,A Worlde of Wordes.Mona, … Also a nickname for women as we say gammer,goodie, goodwife, such a one.

1689.Accts. of the Churchwardens of Sprowston.PaidgoodyCrabbin for washing the surplis and church powrch, 1s.3d.

d.1732.Gay.Swarm’d on a rotten stick the bees I spy’d Which erst I saw whengoodyDopon dy’d.

d.1745.Swift.Plaingoodywould no longer down: ’Twas Madam in her grogram gown.

1802.Bloomfield,Rural Tales, ‘Richard and Kate.’ Come,Goody, stop your humdrum wheel.

1816.Johnson,Eng. Dict.s.v. A low term of civility used to mean persons.

1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Witches’ Frolic.’ OldGoodyPrice, Had got something nice.

HenceGoodyship= ‘ladyship.’

1663.Butler,Hudibras, pt. 1, c. 3. The more shame for hergoodyship, To give so near a friend the slip.

2. (colloquial).—A religious hypocrite, male or female; the ‘unco guid’ of Burns.

1836.Kidd,London Ambulator, p. 14. Clapham is celebrated forgoodies—ladies of a certain age, who not having succeeded in finessing for husbands, betake themselves to a religious life as adernier resort.

Hencegoody-goodyism= sentimental piety.

1892.Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Nov., p. 3., c. 1. The Christmas tale of adventure … has perhaps cast off its element ofgoody-goodyism, but the general features and cast are as of old.

3. generallyin. pl.(colloquial).—Sweetmeats; bon-bons; cakes and buns.

1853.Mayhew,Letters Left at a Pastrycook’s. Propped up on each side with bags of oranges, cakes, andgoodies.

1855.H. A. Murray,Lands of the Slave and the Free, ch. xii. Adjourning from time to time to some café for the purpose of eating ices or suckinggoodies.

4. (American).—The kernel of a nut.

Adj.(colloquial).—Well-meaning but petty; officiously pious.Alsogoody-goody.

1864.D. W. Thompson,Daydreams of a Schoolmaster, p. 230. I would rather they were not too good; orgoody. Let us have a little naughtiness, sprinkled in at intervals.

1892.S. Watson,Wops the Waif, p. 7. He knew well enough the whole of this enterprise had sprung from agoody-goodyidea of ‘doing something,’ born of impulse and whim.

Goodyear,subs.(old).—The pox. (A corruption of gougeer, fromgouge= a soldier’s trull). For synonyms,seeLadies’ Fever.

1605.Shakspeare,Lear, v., 3. Thegoodyearsshall devour them.[181]

Gook,subs.(American).—A low prostitute. For synonyms,seeBarrack HackandTart.

Goose,subs.(common).—1. A tailor’s smoothing iron. (Whose handle is shaped like the neck of the bird.) Hence the old ditton, ‘A taylor be he ever so poor is sure to have a goose at his fire.’—Grose.Fr.,un gendarme.

1606.Shakspeare,Macbeth, ii., 3. Come in, taylor; here you may roast yourgoose.

1606.Dekker,Newes from Hell, in Wks. (Grosart) ii., 114. Every man being armed with his sheeres and pressing Iron, which he calls there hisgoose.

1638.Randolph,Hey for Honesty. …Tailor.Oh! it is an age that, like the Ostrich, makes me feed on my owngoose.

1703.Ward,London Spy, pt. xii., p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher’sgoose.

1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Goose(s.) … also the large, heavy iron used by taylors, to press down their seams with when heated very hot.

1766.Kenrick,Falstaff’s Wedding, iii., 1. Although they had been hissing all the way like a tailor’sgoose.

1861.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has had a slight dispute with his wife the night before, and has corporeally chastised her with a hotgoose—a tailor’sgoose, be it understood—to the extent of all but fracturing her skull.

1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the warders from their own breakfast, the tools—scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, orgeese—are served out.

2. (common).—A simpleton: usually only of women. AlsoGoosecap(q.v.).

1591.Shakspeare,Romeo and Juliet, ii., 4.Mercutio.Was I there with you for thegoose?Rom.Thou wast never with me that thou wast not for thegoose.

1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.

3. (venery).—SeeWinchester Goose.

4. (colloquial).—A reprimand; awigging(q.v.);cf.,verb, sense 1.

1865.G. F. Berkeley,My Lifeetc., i., 276. On the adventure reaching the ears of the Duke of Wellington, the active experimentalist received considerablegoose.

5. (printers’).—SeeWayz goose.

6. (colloquial).—A woman: whence, by implication, the sexual favour.

Verb.(common).—1. To hiss; to condemn by hissing. Alsoto get the gooseorthe big bird(q.v.). Among Fr. equivalents are:appelerorsiffler Azor(= to whistle a dog, Azor being a common canine appellation);boire une goutte(= to be goosed);attrapper;reconduire;se faire travailler;empoigner;éreinter;polisonner;égayer.

1854.Dickens,Hard Times, ch. vi. He wasgoosedlast night, he wasgoosedthe night before last, he wasgoosedto-day.

1858.Dickens,Xmas Stories(Going into Soc.), p. 67 (House. Ed.). Which makes you grind your teeth at him to his face, and which can hardly hold you fromgoosinghim audible when he’s going through his War-Dance.

1873.Hornet, 29 Jan., p. 211, c. 2.Ferdin.Fact! My soul is sick on’t.Goosedlast night; My salary docked.

1875.T. Frost,Circus Life, p. 281. Anartisteisgoosed, orgets the goose, when the spectators or auditors testify by sibillant sounds disapproval or dissatisfaction.

1886.Graphic, 10 Apr., p. 399. To begoosed, or, as it is sometimes phrased, ‘to get the big bird,’ is occasionally a compliment to the actor’s power of representing villainy, but more often is disagreeably suggestive of a failure to please.

2. (colloquial).—To ruin; to spoil.SeeCook one’s goose.[182]

1888.Cassell’s Saturday Journal, 22 Dec., p. 301. We was pretty nighgoosed.

3. (cobblers’).—To mend boots by putting on a new front half-way up, and a new bottom; elsewhere calledfootingboots.Cf.,Fox.

4. (venery).—To go wenching; towomanize(q.v.).

5. (venery).—To possess a woman.

Goose Without Gravy,subs. phr.(nautical).—A severe but bloodless blow.SeeWipe.

To be sound on the goose.verb. phr.(American).—Before the civil war, to be sound on the pro-slavery question: now, to be generally staunch on party matters; to be politically orthodox.

1857.Providence Journal, 18 June. To seek for political flaws is no use, His opponents will find he issound on the goose.

1857.Gladstone,Kansas: or Squatter Life, p. 43. One of the boys, I reckon?All right on the goose, eh? No highfaluten airs here, you know.

1862.Lowell,Biglow Papers, II. Northern religion works wal North, but it’s ez suft ez spruce, compar’d to our’n for keepin’sound, sez she,upon the goose.

1875.American EnglishinChamb. Journal, 25 Sept., p. 610. A man who can be depended upon by his party is said to besound on the goose.

1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 22. He didn’t appear quite sosound on the gooseas he ought to ha’ done.

To find fault with a fat goose,verb. phr.(old).—To grumble without rhyme or reason.—B. E. (1690).

To kill the goose for the golden eggs,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To grasp at more than is due; to over-reach oneself. (From the Greek fable.)

Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high,phr.SeeEverything.

He’ll be a man among the geese when the gander is gone,phr.(old).—Ironical; = ‘He’ll be a man before his mother.’

Go! shoe the goose,phr.(old).—A retort, derisive or incredulous = the modern ‘To hell and pump thunder.’

Unable to say boh! to a goose,phr.(colloquial).—Said of a bashful person.—Grose.

1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 76. And now … he can hardlysay boh to a goose.

SeealsoWild-goose Chase.

Goose-and-Duck,subs. phr.(rhyming).—A fuck.

Goose and Gridiron,subs.phr.(political American).—The American eagle, and the United States flag.SeeGridiron.

1891.Standard, 3 Jan., p. 3, c. 1. This is curious, considering the almost fetish-like veneration entertained by the modern American for his Standard, which, coupled with the national bird, tempted the Loyalists in the early days of the war to vent endless rude witticisms on thegoose and gridiron.

Gooseberry,subs.(common).—1. A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head. [Perhaps fromGooseberry Fool; as inGoldsmith’sRetaliation:—‘And by the same rule Magnanimous Goldsmith’s agooseberry fool.’]

2. (common).—A chaperon; one who takes third place to save appearances or play propriety (q.v.); adaisy-orgooseberry-picker.[183]

3. (common).—A marvellous tale; amunchausen(q.v.); a flim-flam. Alsogigantic, andgiant goosberry. HenceGooseberry season= the dull time of journalism, when the appearance of monstrous vegetables, sea serpents, showers of frogs, and other portents is chronicled in default of news.Cf.,silly season(q.v.).

1870.Figaro, 22 June. If we have no biggooseberriesthis season, we have at least a big salmon.

1871.Graphic, 22 Apr. Mr. Tupper excited a great deal of incredulity a few years ago by announcing in the prodigiousgoosberry seasonthat he had discovered an ancient Roman coin embedded in the heart of an oak tree.

1885.Ill. London News, 18 July, p. 50, c. 2. Amongst journalists there is popularly known what they call ‘thegiant gooseberry season,’ the meaning of which is, that when Parliament has risen and the Law Courts are shut and subjects on which to write become scarce, adventurous spirits are apt to discourse in their newspapers of fruit of abnormal size, and other natural prodigies, which, according to current banter, exist only in their own imagination.

4.in. pl.(venery).—The testicles. For synonyms,seeCods.

To play(ordo)gooseberry,verb. phr.(common).—To play propriety; also to sit third in a hansom.

1877.Hawley Smart,Play or Pay. ch. vi. To take care of a pretty girl, … with a sister todo gooseberry.

1880.G. R. Sims,Jeph, p. 8. Mamma alwaysplayed gooseberryon these occasions.

1883.Globe, 6 July, p. 1, c. 5. They will be compelled in self-defence to have a shorthand writer present toplay gooseberry, and to be able to furnish proof that their discourse was innocent.

1892.J. McCarthyandMrs. Campbell-Praed,Ladies’ Gallery, p. 51. Well, I am not a good hand atplaying gooseberry, and I don’t like spoiling sport.

To play old gooseberry,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To play the deuce; to upset or spoil; to throw everything into confusion; butseequot. 1811.Old Gooseberry= The devil (seeSkipper). [SeeNotes and Queries, 2 S x., 307, 376; xii., 336.]

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.

1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.Gooseberry.Heplayed up old gooseberryamong them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance.

1819.Moore,Tom Crib, p. 22. Willplay up old gooseberrysoon with them all.

1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.To play up gooseberry; children romping about the house or the parent rating them over.

1837.Ingoldsby Legends.‘Bloudie Jacke of Shrewsberrie.’ There’s a pretty to-do! All the people of Shrewsburyplaying old gooseberryWith your choice bits of taste andvirtù.

1865.H. Kingsley,Hillyars and the Burtons, ch. lxii.Lay on like old gooseberry.

1892.Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We all know his capacity for playingold goosberrywith things in general.

Gooseberry-eyed,adj.(old).—Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).

Gooseberry-grinder,subs.(old).—The breech. For synonyms,seeMonocular eyeglass.

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Gooseberry-grinder, s.v. Ask Bogey thegooseberry-grinder, ask mine a——e.

Gooseberry Lay,subs. phr.(thieves’).—Stealing linen from a line.

Gooseberry-picker,subs.(colloquial).—1. A person whose labour profits, and is credited to, another; aghost(q.v.).[184]

2. (common).—A chaperon.SeeGooseberry,subs.sense 2.

1884.Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the sensations of beinggooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.

Gooseberry-pudding,subs.(rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms,seePetticoat.

Gooseberry-wig,subs.(old).—A large frizzled wig. ‘Perhaps,’ saysGrose(s.v.), ‘from a supposed likeness to a gooseberry bush.’

1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.

Goosecap,subs.(common).—A booby, male or female; anoodle. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.

1593.G. Harvey,Pierce’s Super. in wks. II., 72. A foole, an idiot, a dolt, agoose-capp, an asse, and soe fourth.

1604.Dekker,Honest Wh.in wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you gulles, yougoose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters!

1622.BeaumontandFletcher,Beggar’s Bush, iv., 4. Why, what agoose-capwouldst thou make me!

1763.Foote,Mayor of Garratt, Act i. My husband is such agoose-capthat I can’t get no good out of him at home or abroad.

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A silly fellow or woman.

Goose-(orGoose’s)Egg,subs.(American).—No score. AlsoGooser.SeeDuck.

1886.New York Times, July. With nine unpalatablegoose-eggsin their contest.

1889.Modern Society, 12 Oct., p. 1264. An enthusiastic lady cricketer has just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matrimonial match. ‘No, Mr. Brown, I cannot marry you. You score agooserthis time.’

Goose-flesh(orGoose-skin),subs.(colloquial).—A peculiar tingling of the skin produced by cold, fear, etc.; the sensation described as ‘cold water down the back’; thecreeps(q.v.).

1824.Miss Ferrier,Inheritance, ch. ii. Her skin began to rise into what is vulgarly termedgoose-skin.

Goose-gog(orGoose-gob),subs.(common).—A gooseberry.

Goose-grease,subs. phr.(venery).—A woman’sspendings(q.v.).SeeGoose,subs., sense 6.

Goose-month,subs.(old).—The lying-in month.Cf.,Gander-month.

Goose-persuader,subs.(common).—A tailor. For synonyms,seeSnip.

Gooser,subs.(popular).—1. A settler; a knock-out blow; the act of death.SeeDigandWipe.

1851–61.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. III., p. 133. It was he who saved my life. If it hadn’t been for him it would have been agooserwith me.

1857.Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. In the event of my getting agooser.

2. (sporting).—No score; agoose-egg(q.v.).

3. (venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.

Goose-Riding.SeeGander-pulling.

Goose’s Gazette,subs.(old).—A lying story; a flim-flam tale; that is, a piece of reading for agoose, sense 2.[185]

1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown … told him somegoose’s gazetteabout his being taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.

Goose-shearer,subs.(common).—A beggar. For synonyms,seeCadger. [Fromgoose= simpleton +shearer= a cheater.]

Goose’s-neck,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.

Goose-step,subs.(common).—Balancing on one foot and moving the other back and forwards without taking a step. [A preliminary in military drill, thepons asinorumof the raw recruit.] Also (more loosely) ‘marking time’: that is, lifting the feet alternately without advancing.

1840.Tate’s Mag., Sept., p. 607.Whether the remarkable evolution [thegoose step] was called … from the nature of the operation requiring the exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation of the above-named animal, I am totally at a loss to say.

1890.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. He won his spurs at Punchestown before he had mastered thegoose step.

Goose-turd Green,adj.(old).—A light-yellowish green.—Cotgrave.

Goosey-gander,subs.(common).—A fool. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.

Goosing-slum,subs.(American).—A brothel. [Goosing= womanizing; also copulating.] For synonyms,seeNanny-shop.

Gopher,subs.(American).—1. A young thief; especially a boy employed by burglars to enter houses through windows, skylights, etc. [In natural historygopher= a burrowing squirrel.]

2. (Southern States).—A rude wooden plough.

Goree,subs.(old).—Money; specifically gold or gold-dust. From Fort Goree on the Gold Coast. For synonyms,seeActualandGilt.

1696. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.

1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.

Gorge,subs.(vulgar).—1. A heavy meal; atuck-in(q.v.); ablow-out(q.v.).

1553.Wilson,Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a fulgorge.

1883.Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for agorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.

2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation ofgorger(q.v.).

Verb(vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms,seeWolf.

1572.Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889–91, ‘Lamentacioun,’ ii., 232.Gorgedwaters ever greater grows.

1633.Massinger,New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2.Mar.Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you’ll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter’d toasts too.Greedy.This revives me: I willgorgethere sufficiently.

1654.Chapman,Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o’ th’ shop cangorgetheir musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.

1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Gorge(v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably.[186]

1843.Dickens,Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a word; every one had been intent, as usual, on his own privategorging; and the greater part of the company were decidedly dirty feeders.

1853.Wh. Melville,Digby Grand, ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if they would only notgorgetheir food so rapidly.

Gorger,subs.(vulgar).—1. A voracious eater; ascruncher(q.v.).Rotten gorger= a lad who hangs about Covent Garden eating refuse fruit.

2. (common).—A well-dressed man; a gentleman. [Gypsy,gorgio= gentlemen.] Fr.,un gratiné.

1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Mung thegorger; beg child beg, of the gentleman.

3. (common).—An employer; a principal: especially the manager of a theatre. [Perhaps because he takes (or gorges) all thefat(q.v.).] Alsocully-gorger. Fr.,amendier.

1872.M. E. Braddon,Dead Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. Thegorger’sawful coally on his own slumming, eh?… I mean to say that our friend the manager is rather sweet upon his own acting.

4. (old).—A neckerchief. [From gorge = throat.]

1320–30.Gawaine, 957. That other wyth agorgerwatz gored ouer the swyre.

Gorgonzola Hall,subs. phr.(Stock Exchange).—Formerly the New Hall; now the corporation generally. [From the colour of the marble.]

1887.Atkin,House Scraps,Gorgonzola Hallgot turned into New Billingsgate.

Gorm,verb. (American University).—Togorge(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWolf.

I’m gormed,phr.(popular).—A profane oath.SeeGaum.

1849.Dickens,David Copperfield, ch. iii. If it [his generosity] were ever referred to, … he struck the table a heavy blow with his right hand (had split it on one such occasion), and swore a dreadful oath thathe would be gormedif he didn’t cut and run for good, if it was ever mentioned again.

1883.Punch, May 19, p. 230, c. 2. Why, of course I hardly expects to be believed, butI’m gormedif there was more than six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.

1884.Julian Sturgis, inLongman’s Mag., iii., 623. ‘Gormedif there ain’t that old parson again!’ cried Henry, with enthusiasm.

Gormagon,subs.(old).—Seequots.

1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses, and a cunt upon its back; a man on horseback with a woman behind him.

1892.Fennell,Stanford Dict., s.v.,Gormagon… a member of an English Secret Society which existed in the second quarter of 18 c.

Gormy-ruddles,subs.(common).—The intestines.

Gorram(orGoram).—SeeByGoldam.

Gorry.—SeeBy Gorry!

Goschens,subs.(Stock Exchange).—The 2¾ per cent. Government Stock created by Mr. Goschen in 1888.

1889.Man of the World, 29 June. The nicknameGoschensis going out of fashion. The new 2¾ stock is now called by the old name.

1891.Punch, 4 Apr. Securities yielding a larger return than 2¾Goschens.

Gosh,seeby gosh.

Gospel,subs.(colloquial).—1. Anything offered as absolutely true. Alsogospel-truth.[187]

1862.H. Kingsley,Ravenshoe, ch. lx. She is a good young woman, and a honest young woman in her way, and what she says this night about her brother isgospel-truth.

1864.Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently unable to resist the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a tone which carried the impress of veracity with it, ‘Gospel.’

1891.N. Gould, Double Event, p. 175. It was true asgospel.

To do gospel,verb. phr.(common).—To go to church.

Gospel-gab,subs.(common).—Insincere talk concerning religion; cant.

1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a littlegospel-gaband howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.

Gospel-Grinder(-postillion,-sharp, or-shark),subs.(common).—A clergyman or missionary. For synonyms,seedevil-dodgerandsky-pilot;—

French Synonyms.—La forêt noire(thieves’ = the black forest);une entonne ramparte(thieves’);entonner= to intone;une antiffle(thieves’);une cavée(thieves’ = a black hole);une chique(thieves’).

Spanish Synonym.—Salud.

Italian Synonyms.—Balza;balzana.

1869.S. L. Clemens,Innocents at Home, p. 19. ‘A what!’ ‘Gospel-sharp—parson.’ ‘Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.’

1877.BesantandRice,Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a ConnecticutGospel-grinderin his village location.

Gospeller,subs.(colloquial).—An Evangelist preacher; in contempt. AlsoHot-gospeller(= a preaching fanatic.)

Gospel-mill(or-shop),subs.(common).—A church or chapel. Alsoschism-shopanddoxology-works(q.v.).

1782.Geo. Parker,Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; EachGospel-shopringing a daily change.

1791.Life of J. Lackington, Letter xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging and work my next enquiry was for Mr. Wesley’sGospel-shops.

1852.Judson,Mysteries of New York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about that eregospel-shopas you was agoin for to crack last week.

1869.S. L. Clemens(Mark Twain)Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you the duck that runs thegospel-millnext door.

1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. 35. It’s allgospel-shopgruel.

Goss(orGossamer),subs.(common).—A hat. (At first a make of peculiar lightness called afour-and-nine(q.v.).) In quot. 1836 = a white hat. For synonyms,seeGolgotha.

1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xii. ‘That’s one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that’s another—wentilationgossamerI calls it.’ On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.

1838.Jas. Grant,Sketches in London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger inquired whether the hat was ‘a vashing beaver von?’ while a fourth inquired whether it was ‘agossamerventilator?’

1851.H. Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. I have sold hats from 6d. to 3s. 6d., but very seldom 3s. 6d. The 3s. 6d. ones would wear out two newgossamers, I know.

1884.A. Lang,Much Darker Days, p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there all battered and crushed on the white snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan! … who else would wear the gaygossamerof July in stormy December?[188]

1888.Harper’s Magazine, LXXVII., 139. Flinging off hisgossamerand hanging it up to drip into the pan of the hat rack.

To give(orget)goss,verb. phr.(American).—To requite an injury; to kill; to go strong; to get an opportunity; toput in big licks(q.v.). Sometimes ejaculatory, as ‘Give me goss and let me rip!’

1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 75.Gin him gosswithout sweetin.

1847.Darley,Drama in Porterville, p. 114. Divers hints passed from one to another among the more excitable citizens, that ‘Old Sol’ was going toget goss, sure.

1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc., p. 115. Shouts of ‘Fair play,’ ‘Turn ’em out,’ ‘Give him goss,’ were heard on all sides.

a.1852.Traits of American Humour, II., 261. Ef I don’t, the old man willgive me gosswhen I go back.

Gossoon,subs.(colloquial Irish).—A boy. [A corruption of Fr.,garçon= a boy.]

Gotch-gutted,adj.(old).—Pot-bellied; ‘a gotch in Norfolk, signifying a pitcher or large round jug.’—Grose.

Got ’em Bad,phr.(common).—A superlative of earnestness or excessiveness:e.g., anyone doing his work thoroughly, a horse straining every nerve, a very sick person, especially a patient in thehorrors(q.v.), is said to havegot ’em bad.

Got ’em On(orAll On),phr.(common).—Dressed in the height of fashion.SeeRigged Out.

1880.Punch, 28 Aug., p. 90.

188(?).Broadside Ballad, ‘’Arry.’ Where are you going on Sunday, ’Arry, now you’vegot ’em on?

188(?).Broadside Ballad. ‘He’sgot ’em on.’

Goth,subs.(common).—A frumpish or uncultured person; one behind the times or ignorant of the ways of society.

1712.Spectator, No. 367. But I shall never sink this paper so far as to engage withGothsand Vandals.

1751.Smollett,Peregrine Pickle, ch. lxi. You yourself are aGoth… to treat with such disrespect a production which … will, when finished, be a masterpiece of its kind.

1865.Ouida,Strathmore, ch. ii. For God’s sake don’t suppose me such aGoththat I should fall in love with a dairymaid, Strath!

Gotham,subs.(common).—New York City.Gothamite, a New Yorker. [First used by Washington Irving inSalmagundi(1807).]

1852.Jutson,Mysteries of New York. ch. xiii. One of the vilest of all hells inGotham.

1852.Bristed,Upper Ten Thousand, p. 37. The first thing, as a general rule, that a youngGothamitedoes is to get a horse.

Gothic,adj.(old).—SeeGoth.

1700.Congreve,The Way of the World, iv. 4. Ah, rustic, ruder thanGothic!

1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, ii., 8. Why, with his usualGothicvivacity, he said I only wanted him to throw off his wig to convert it into atêtefor my own wearing.

Go-to-meeting Bags(orClothes,Dress, etc.),subs. phr.(common).—Best clothes. [As worn on Sundays, or holiday occasions.]

1837–40.Haliburton,The Clockmaker, p. 243 (Ed. 1862). If he hadn’t hisgo-to-meetin’ dressand looks on this day to the jury, it’s a pity.

1854.Bradley,Verdant Green, Pt. II., p. 5. Besides his blackgo-to-meeting bagsplease to observe the peculiarity, etc.[189]

1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s Schooldays, pt.II., ch. v. I want to give you a true picture of what every-day school life was in my time, and not a kid-glove andgo-to-meeting-coatpicture.

1857.Kingsley,Two Years Ago. Looks right well in hergo-to-meeting clothes.

Gouge,subs.(American).—An imposture; a swindle; a method of cheating.

1845.New York Tribune, 10 Dec. R—— and H—— will probably receive from Mr. Polk’s administration $100,000 more than respectable printers would have done the work for. There is a clean, plaingougeof this sum out of the people’s strong box.

Verb.(old).—1.Grosesays, ‘To squeeze out a man’s eye with the thumb, a cruel practice used by the Bostonians in America.’

1848.Ruxton,Life in the Far West, p. 49. His eyes having beengougedin a mountain fray.

2. (American).—To defraud.

1845.New York Tribune, 26 Nov. Very well, gentlemen!gougeMr. Crosby out of the seat, if you think it wholesome to do it.

1874.W. D. Howells,Foregone Conclusions, ch. iii. The man’s a perfect Jew—or a perfect Christian, one ought to say in Venice; we true believers dogougeso much more infamously here.

1885.Bret Harte,A Ship of ’49, ch. i. He’s regularlygougedme in that ’ere horsehair spekilation.

Gouger,subs.(American).—A cheat; a swindler. For synonyms,seeRook.

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