To have the grindstone on his back,verb. phr.(common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—Grose.Grinning-stitches,subs.(milliners’).—Slovenly sewing; stitches wide apart;ladders(q.v.).Grip(orGripsack),subs.(American).—A hand-bag or satchell.To lose one’s grip,verb. phr.(American).—To fail; to lose one’s control.Gripe,subs.(old).—1. A miser; a usurer. AlsoGriperorGripe-fist(q.v.). For synonyms,seeHunksandSixty-per-cent.Griping= extortion.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Gripe, orgriper, s.v. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.2.in. pl.(colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; theCollywobbles. For synonyms,seeJerry-go-nimble.1684.Bunyan,Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of thegripes.1705.Char. of a Sneake, inHarl. Misc.(ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms butsemper eademgives him thegripes.1714.Spectator, No 559. Meeting the true father, who came towards him with a fit of thegripes, he begged him to take his son again, and give back his cholic.1812.Coombe,Tour in Search of Picturesque, c. xxvi. That he who daily smokes two pipes, The tooth-ache never has—norgripes.Gripe-fist,subs.(common).—A miser; a grasping broker. For synonyms,seeHunks. AlsoGripe-penny.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grist,subs.(American).—A large number or quantity. [Swift usesgrist= a supply; a provision.]1848.Cooper,Oak Openings. There’s an unaccountablegristof bees, I can tell you.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, i., 305. I … got pretty considerable soaked by agristof rain.To bring grist to the mill,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To bring profitable business; to be a source of profit.1719.Poor Robin’s Almanack, May. Lawyers pleading do refrain A while, and then fall to ’t again; Strife bringsgristunto theirmill.1770.Foote,Lame Lover, i. Well, let them go on, it bringsgrist to our mill.1804.Horsley,Speech, 23 July. A sly old pope created twenty new saints,to bring grist to the millof the London clergy.1817.Scott,Ivanhoe, c. 16. Some three or four dried pease—a miserablegristfor such a mill.[219]1838.Dickens,Nich. Nickleby, ch. xxxiv., p. 268. Meantime the foolsbring grist to my mill.Gristle,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Grit,subs.(originally American: now colloquial).—1. Character; pluck; spirit;sand(q.v.). Alsoclear grit.No grit= lacking in stamina; wanting in courage.1825.Neal,Bro. Jonathan, bk. II., ch. xiv. A chap who was cleargritfor a tussle, any time.1848.Burton,Waggeries,etc., p. 13. The old folks … began to think that she warn’t theclear grit.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. vi. A real lady—l’air noble—the rael genuinegrit, as Sam Slick says.1852.H. B. Stowe,Uncle Tom’s Cabin, ch. vii.You’re a right brave old girl. I likegrit, wherever I see it.1860.Thackeray,Philip, ch. xxxi. If you were a chip of the old block you would be just what he called thegrit.1889.Referee, 6 Jan. They never did think there was any realgritabout him.1890.Scribner, Feb., 242. ‘Looks like he gotgrit, don’t it?’ Lige muttered.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 249. I am as full ofgritand work as ever, and just tower above our troubles.2. (Canadian political).—A member of the Liberal party.Gritty,adj.(American).—Plucky; courageous; resolute; full of character.1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 106. There never was agrittyercrowd congregated on that stream.Grizzle,verb.(colloquial).—To fret. Alsoto grizzle one’s guts.1872.Miss Braddon,To the Bitter End, ch. xvi. ‘If the locket’s lost, it’s lost,’ she said philosophically; ‘and there’s no use ingrizzlingabout it.’Grizzle-guts(orGrizzle-orGlum-pot).subs.(common).—A melancholy or ill-tempered person; asulkington(q.v.).Groaner,subs.(old).—A thief plying his trade at funerals or religious gatherings.1848.Duncombe,Sinks of London, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Groaning,subs.(old).—The act of parturition. Also,adj., parturient; or appertaining to parturition: as ingroaning-malt(Scots’) = drink for a lying-in;groaning-pains= the pangs of delivery;groaning-wife= a woman ready to lie-in.1594.Nashe,Unfort. Trav.(Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 92. As smoothe as agroaning-wive’sbellie.1596.Shakspeare,Hamlet, iii., 2. It would cost you agroaningto take off my edge.1786.Burns,The Rantin’ Dog the Daddie O’t. Wha will bring thegroaning-malt?Groats,subs.(nautical).—The chaplain’s monthly allowance.To save one’s groats,verb. phr.(old University).—To come off handsomely. [At the Universities nine groats are deposited in the hands of an academic officer by every person standing for a degree, which, if the depositor obtains, with honour, are returned to him.—Grose.]Grocery,subs.(common).—1. Small change.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.2. (American).—A drinking bar. AlsoConfectioneryandGroggery.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc. 104. He went into his favouritegrocery.[220]3. (common).—Sugar. [A restricted use of a colloquialism.]1841.Lytton,Night and Morning, Bk. V., ch. ii. A private room and a pint of brandy, my dear. Hot water and lots of thegrocery.Grog,subs.(old: now recognised).—Spirits and water; strong drink generally. [Till Admiral Vernon’s time (1745) rum was served neat, but he ordered it to be diluted, and was therefore nicknamed ‘Old Grog,’ in allusion to his grogram coat: a phrase that was presently adapted to the mixture he had introduced.]Groggy= drunk.Verb.(old).—To dilute or adulterate with water.1878.Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury, 8 Mar. The defendants hadgroggedthe casks by putting in hot water.To have grog on board(orto be grogged),verb. phr.(common).—To be drunk. For synonyms,seeScrewed.1842.Comic Almanack, October. He stands and listens, sad and dogged, To ‘fined five bob’ for beinggrogged.Grog-blossom,subs.(common).—A pimple caused by drinking to excess. AlsoCopper-noseandJolly-nose. Fr.,un nez culottéandun nez de pompettes.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum,Grog-blossom, s.v.1883.Thos. Hardy,The Three Strangers, inLongman’s Mag., March, p. 576. A fewgrog-blossomsmarked the neighbourhood of his nose.1888.W. Besant,Fifty Years Ago, ch. xi., p. 169. The outward and visible signs of rum were indeed various. First, there was the red and swollen nose, next, the nose beautifully painted withgrog-blossoms.Grog-fight,subs.(military).—A drinking party.Cf.,Tea-fight.1876.R. M. Jephson,Girl he Left Behind Him, ch. 1. He had been having agrog-fightin his room to celebrate the event.Groggery,subs.(American).—A public bar; a grog-shop.Groggy,adj.(colloquial).—1. Under the influence of drink. For synonyms,seeDrinksandScrewed.1829.Buckstone,Billy Taylor. i., as a gay young woman, will delude Taylor away from Mary, make himgroggy, then press him off to sea.1863.Fun, 23 May, p. 98, c. 2. They fined drunkards and swearers, and there is a record in the parish-books, among others of a similar nature, of a certain Mrs. Thunder who was fined twelve shillings for being, like Mr. Cruikshank’s horse at the Brighton Review, decidedlygroggy.1872.Echo, 30 July. A model of perfection had she not shown more than necessary partiality to her elder friend’s brandy bottle during the journey, despite the latter’s oft-repeated caution not to becomegroggy.2. (colloquial).—Staggering or stupified with drink. Also (stable) moving as with tender feet. Also (pugilists’) unsteady from punishment and exhaustion. Fr.,locher= to begroggy.1831.Youatt,The Horse, ch. xvi., p. 380. Long journeys at a fast pace will make almost any horsegroggy.1846–8.Thackeray,Vanity Fair, vol. ii., ch. v. Cuff coming up full of pluck, but quite reeling andgroggy, the Fig-merchant put in his left as usual on his adversary’s nose, and sent him down for the last time.1853.Diogenes, vol. ii., p. 177. The anxiety is not confined to the metropolis; as a respectable grazier, who rides agroggyhorse, on hearing of it at a public-house the other day, affirmed it to be the mysterious cause of the rise in the value of horseflesh.1888.Sportsman, 28 Nov. In the tenth Thompson, who had been growinggroggy, to the surprise of Evans began to force the fighting.[221]Grogham,subs.(old).—A horse; adaisy-kicker(q.v.). Now mostly in contempt. For synonyms,seePrad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grog-shop,subs.(common).—The mouth. For synonyms,seePotatoe-trap.1843.Thackeray,Men’s Wives,Frank Berry, ch. i. Claret drawn in profusion from the gown-boy’sgrog-shop.Grog-tub,subs.(nautical).—A brandy bottle.Groom,subs.(gamesters’).—A croupier.Groomed.SeeWell-groomed.Groovy,subs.(American).—A sardine.Adj.(popular).—Settled in habit; limited in mind.Grope,verb. (venery).—To feel a woman; to fumble; tofam(q.v.).1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Mariolement.Gropingof a wench.1719.Durfey,Pills, etc., i., 194. Smoking, toping, Landladygroping.Groper,subs.(old).—1. A blind man;hoodman(q.v.).1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.2. (old).—A pocket. For synonyms,seeBrighandSky-rocket.1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 143.Gropers.Pockets.3. (old).—A midwife; afingersmith(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grotto,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Ground.To suit down to the ground,verb. phr.(common).—To be thoroughly becoming or acceptable.1878.M. E. Braddon,Cloven Foot, ch. xlv. Some sea coast city in South America wouldsuit me down to the ground.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 9 Feb. I knows the very bloke that’llsuit you down to the ground.1891.Sporting Life, 28 Mar. At Knowle he issuited down to the ground.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. ii. Theysuit me right down to the ground.To wipe(ormop)up the ground(orfloor)with one,verb. phr.(common).—To administer the very soundest thrashing; to prove oneself absolutely superior to one’s opposite.1887.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, i., 3. Muck! that’s my opinion of him; … I’llmop the floor up with himany day, if so be as you or any on ’em ’ll make it worth my while.1888.Detroit Free Press, Aug. The Scroggin boy was as tough as a dogwood knot. He’dwipe up the ground with him; he’d walk all over him.To go(orget)well to the ground,verb. phr.(old colloquial).—To defæcate;to rear(q.v.). For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1608.Middleton,Family of Love, v. 3. Do yougo well to the ground?1856.Notes and Queries, 2 S., i., p. 324.To get to the ground, in medical phraseology, means to have the bowels opened.[222]Grounder,subs.(cricketers’).—A ball with a ground delivery; asneak; agrub; and (in America) at base-ball, a ball struck low, or flying near the ground.Ground-floor.To be let in on the Ground-floor,verb. phr.(American).—To share in a speculation on equal terms with the original promoters.Ground-squirrel,subs.(old).—A hog; agrunter—Lex. Bal.For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.Ground-sweat.To have(ortake)a ground-sweat,verb. phr.(old).—To be buried.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Ground sweat, s.v., a grave.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grouse.To do a grouse(orto go grousing),verb. phr.(venery).—To quest, or to run down, a woman;to molrow(q.v.).Groused=Molled(q.v.).Grouser,subs.(popular).—1. A grumbler. For synonyms,seeRusty-guts.2. (venery).—One who goes questing after women; amolrower(q.v.).3. (sporting).—A rowing man; awet-bob(q.v.).Grousing,subs.(venery).—Going in quest of women;sparrow-catching(q.v.);molrowing(q.v.).Groute,verb. (Marlborough and Cheltenham Colleges).—To work or study hard; toswot(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWire In.Grouty,adj.(common).—Crabbed; sulky.Grove of Eglantine,subs. phr.(venery).—The femalepudendum; also the female pubic hair. For synonyms,seeMonosyllableandFleece.1772.Carew,Poems. ‘A Rapture.’ Retire into thyGrove of Eglantine.Grove of the Evangelist,subs. phr.(common).—St. John’s Wood; alsoApostle’s Grove, and theBaptist’s Wood.Grow,verb. (prison).—To be accorded the privilege of letting one’s hair and beard grow. Alsoto grow one’s feathers.Growler,subs.(common).—A four-wheeled cab.Cf.,Sulky.English Synonyms.—Bird-cage; blucher; bounder; fever-trap; flounder-and-dab (rhyming); four-wheeler; groping hutch; mab (an old hackney); rattler; rumbler.French Synonyms.—Un bordel ambulant(common = a walking brothel);un char numèroté(popular);un flatar(thieves’);un foutoir ambulant(= a fuckery on wheels);un mylord(popular).1870.Orchestra, 21 Mar. A recent enigmatical bill-poster on the walls, with the device ‘Hie, Cabby, Hie!’ turns out to be a Patent Cab Call—an ingenious sort of lamp-signal for remote hansoms andgrowlers.1873.Land and Water, 25 Jan. The knacker’s yard is baulked for a time, while the quadruped shambles along in some poverty-strickengrowler.[223]1883.Daily Telegraph, 8 Jan., p. 5, c. 3. But while a great improvement has been made in hansoms of late years, the four-wheeler orgrowleris still as a rule a disgrace to the metropolis.1890.Daily Graphic, 7 Jan., p. 14, c. 1. What with hansom cabs andgrowlersand private broughams; what with bonded carmen’s towering waggons.1891.Globe, 15 July, p. 1, c. 3. Adapting the words of Waller to the condition of many of ourgrowlers—The cab’s dull framework, battered and decayed, Lets in the air through gaps that time has made.To rush(orwork)the growler,verb. phr.(American workmen’s).—Seequot. [Growler= pitcher.]1888.New York Herald, 29 July. One evil of which the inspectors took particular notice was that of the employment by hands in a number of factories of boys and girls, under ten and thirteen years, to fetch beer for them, or in other wordsto rush the growler.Grown-man’s-dose,subs.(common).—A lot of liquor. Also along drink(q.v.). For synonyms,seeGo.Grown-up,subs.(colloquial).—An adult: among undertakers, agrown.1864.Dickens,Our Mutual Friend, Bk. ii., ch. 1. I always did likegrown ups.Grub,subs.(vulgar).—1. Food.English Synonyms.—Belly-cheer (or chere); belly-furniture; belly-timber; Kaffir’s tightener (specifically, a full meal); chuck; corn; gorge-grease; manablins (= broken victuals); mouth harness; mungarly; peck; prog; scoff (S. African); scran; stodge; tack; tommy (specifically, bread); tuck; yam. Also, verbally, to bung the cask; to grease the gills; to have the run of one’s teeth; to yam.SeealsoWolf.French Synonyms.—La becquetance(popular = peck);le biffre(popular);la frigousse(popular);la fripe(popular, from O. Fr.,fripper= to eat);la gringue(common);les matériaux(freemason’s = materials);la briffe(popular);la boustifaille(popular);le harnois de gueule(Rabelais: = mouth-harness);le coton(popular, an allusion to a lamp-wick);les comestaux(popular = comestibles);le tortorage(thieves’);la broute(popular = grazing);la morfe(O. Fr. Also, in a verbal sense = to feed);tortiller du bec(popular = to wag a jaw);se calfater le bec(nautical: also = to drink);becqueter(popular = to ‘peck’);béquiller(popular);chiquer(popular = to ‘chaw’);bouffer(popular);boulotter(common);taper sur les vivres(popular = to assault the eatables);pitancher(common: also = to drink);passer à la tortore(thieves’);se l’envoyer;casser la croustille(thieves’ = to crack a crust);tortorer(thieves’);briffer;passer à briffe(popular);brouter(Villon= to browse);se caler, orse caler les amygdales(popular);mettre de l’huile dans la lampe(common = to trim the lamp);se coller quelque chose dans le fanal,dans le fusil, ordans le tube(popular = to trim one’s beacon-light; to load one’s gun, etc.);chamailler des dents(popular = to ‘go it’ with the ivories);jouer des badigoinces(common:badigoinces= chaps);jouer des dominos(popular:dominos= teeth);déchirer la cartouche(military);gobichonner(popular);engouler(popular = to bolt);engueuler(colloquial = to gobble);friturer(popular: also = to cook);gonfler(popular: to blow out);morfiaillier(Rabelaisian);morfigner,[224]ormorfiler(From O. Fr.,morfier;cf., Ital.,morfireormorfizzare);cacher(popular = to stow away);se mettre quelque chose dans le cadavre(popular = to stoke);se lester la cale(nautical: to lay in ballast);se graisser les balots(thieves’: to grease the gills);se caresser(to do oneself a good turn);effacer(popular = to put away);travailler pour M. Domange(popular: M. Domange was a famousgoldfinderorgong farmer[q.v.]);clapoter(popular);debrider la margoulette(popular = to put one’s nose in the manger);croustiller(popular);charger pour la guadaloupe(popular);travailler pour Jules(common:Jules= Mrs. Jones);se faire le jabot(popular,jabot= stomach);jouer des osanores(popular:osanores= teeth);casser(thieves’);claquer(familiar = to rattle one’s ivories);klebjer(popular);faire trimer les mathurins(popular = to make the running with one’s teeth);se coller quelque chose dans le bocal(common:bocal= paunch);estropier(popular = to maim);passer à galtos(nautical);bourrer la paillasse(common = to stuff the mattress);faire trimer le battant(thieves’);jouer des mandibules(popular);s’emplir le gilet(popular = to fill one’s waistcoat);se garnir le bocal(popular: to furnish one’s paunch);se suiver la gargarousse(nautical: also = to drink);babouiner(popular);charger la canonnière(popular:canonnière= the breech);gousser(popular);gouffier(obsolete).German Synonyms.—Achile,Achelinchen, orAcheliniken(from Heb.Ochal);Achelputz(from Heb.ochal+putzenfrom O.H.G.bizanorpizzan= to eat).Italian Synonyms.—Artibrio; and, verbally,sbattere(= to beat, to struggle);intappare il fusto(= to bung the cask);smorfire.Spanish Synonyms.—Papar(colloquial: frompapa= pap);hacer el buche(low:buche= craw or crop);echar(colloquial);manducar;meter.1659.Dialogue betwixt an Exciseman and Death, transcribed from a Copy in British Museum, printed in London by J. C[lark]. I’ll pass my word this night Shall yield usgrubbefore the morning light.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., victuals.1781.G. Parker,View of Society, I., 171. How did you procure yourgrubandBub?1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 149.Bub and Grub. A mighty low expression, signifying victuals and drink.1836.M. Scott,Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. iii. Poor Purser! de people call him Purser, sir, because him knowing chap; him cabbage all degrub, slush, and stuff in him own corner.d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. Any bubby andgrub, I say?1857.Thackeray,Shabby Genteel Story, ch. i., p. 9. He used to … have hisgrubtoo on board.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. i., p. 45. I at once congratulated myself on not being a large eater, as there was no doubt but mygrubwould runveryshort if it depended on my oakum-picking.1889.Star, 3 Dec., p. 2, c. 6. Of course it wasgrub. It was for food, the food for which they beg, and steal, and go willingly to prison, for a certain good square meal of meat.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 154. That sad, sad secret about Mary would keep him ingrubfor the next day or two at ‘The Rose in Bloom.’2. (old).—A short thick-set man; a dwarf. In contempt. For synonyms,seeHop-o’-my-Thumb.[225]3. (colloquial).—A dirty sloven; generally used of elderly people.4. (American).—A careful student; a hard reader.1856.Hall,College Words and Phrases, quoted fromWilliams’ Coll. Quarterly, ii., 246. A hard reader or student:e.g., notgrubsor reading men, only wordy men.5. (American).—Roots and stumps; whatever is ‘grubbed up.’6. (cricketers’).—A ball delivered along the ground; agrounder(q.v.); adaisy-cutter(q.v.). For synonyms,seeLob-sneak.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.Grub, s.v.Verb.(old).—1. To take or supply with food. For synonyms,seesubs.sense 1.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., to eat.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grub, s.v., to dine.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xxii., p. 184. I never see such a chap to eat and drink; never. The red-nosed man warn’t by no means the sort of person you’d like togrubby contract, but he was nothin’ to the shepherd.1883.Daily Telegraph, 18 May, p. 3, c. 1. ‘They are not bound togrubyou, don’t you know,’ said Mr. Sleasey, ‘and they try the starving dodge on you sometimes.’2. (old).—To beg; to ask for alms, especially food.3. (American).—To study, or read hard; to ‘sweat.’To ride grub,verb. phr.(old).—To be sulky;crusty(q.v.); disagreeable.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue. Toride grub, to be sullen or out of temper.To grub along,verb. phr.(common).—To make one’s way as best one can; ‘to rub along.’1888.Daily Telegraph, 19 Oct. When a youth left school to follow the pursuits of life he found that he had togrub alongas best he could.Grubbing,subs.(common).—Eating.1819.Moore,Tom Crib. What with snoozing, highgrubbing, and guzzling like Cloe.Grubbery,subs.(common).—(1) an eating-house. Also (2) a dining-room, and (3) the mouth.Grubbing-crib,subs.(general).—1. An eating-house.Grubbing-crib faker= the landlord of a cheap cookshop. Fr.,le nourrisseur; Sp.,un ostalero.SeeGrub Shop, sense 2.English Synonyms.—Grubbery; grubby-, or grubbing-ken; grub-shop; guttle-shop; hash-house; mungarly casa; prog-shop; slap-bang shop; tuck-shop; waste-butt.French Synonyms.—Un bourre-boyaux(popular = a stuff-your-guts);un claquedents(popular, also = a brothel, or punting-house);une guingette(general);une mangeoire(popular = a grubbery:manger= to eat);un mattais(popular);un gargot(thieves’).German Synonym.—Achilebajes(from Heb.,Ochal= to eat).Spanish Synonym.—Ostaleria, orOsteria(also = lush-crib).1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf, s.v.2. (tramps’).—A workhouse. For synonyms,seeSpinniken. SometimesGrubbiken.[226]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the good houses, and the tidygrubbikens—that’s the unions where there’s little or nothing to do for the food we gets.Grubble,verb. (colloquial).—(1) To feel for at random or in the dark; and (2) (venery)to grope(q.v.).1684.Dryden,The Disappointment. ‘Prologue.’ The doughty bullies enter bloody drunk, Invade andgrubbleone another’s punk.Grubby,subs.(thieves’).—Food. [A diminutive ofGrub(q.v.).]d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol lol, etc. Ay, bub orgrubby, I say.Adj.(colloquial).—Dirty; slovenly.d.1845.Hood,A Black Job. Like agrubbylot of sooty sweeps or colliers.Grub-hunting,subs.(tramps’).—Begging for food.Grub-shite,verb. (old).—To make foul or dirty; to bewray.—Grose.Grub-shop, (or-crib,-trap, etc.),subs.(common).—1. The mouth; and (2) agrubbery(q.v.). For synonyms,seePotato-trap.1840.Thackeray,Comic Almanack, p. 229. ‘That’s thegrub shop,’ said my lord, ‘where we young gentlemen wot has money buys our wittles.’3.SeeGrubbing-cribin both senses.Grub-stake,subs.(American).—Food and other necessaries furnished to mining prospectors in return for a share in the ‘finds.’ Hence, togrub-stake= to speculate after this fashion.1884.Butterworth,Zig-zag Journeys. When miners become so poor that they are not able to furnish the necessary tools and food with which to ‘go prospecting’, a third party of sufficient means offers to furnish tools and provisions on condition that he is to have a certain interest in anything that may be found.1891.Gunter,Miss Nobody of Nowhere, p. 100. Hegrub-stakedus and we used to work on the Tillie mine together.Grub-street,subs.(colloquial).—The world of cheap, mean, needy authors. [Originally a street near Moorfields, changed in 1830 to Milton Street.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Grub-streetnews, false, forg’d.1728.Pope,Dunciad, iii., 135. Shall take throughgrub-streethis triumphant round.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. AGrub-streetwriter means a hackney author, who manufactures books for the booksellers.1813. J. and H.Smith,Horace in London, ‘The Classic Villa.’Grub-street, ’tis called.1821.Egan,Life in London, i. Few, if any, writers, out of the great mass of living scribblers, whether ofGrub-Streetfabrication, or of University passport … possess souls above buttons.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 119. We are going it, have got our agents inGrub Street.Gruel,subs.(common).—1. A beating;punishment(q.v.). For synonyms,seeTanning. Hence,to get(orgive)one’s gruel= to castigate, or be well beaten; also killed. In the prize ring = to knock a man out for good.Gruelled= floored; alsoGruelling.1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxviii. He gathered in general, that they expressed great indignation against some individual. ‘He shall have hisgruel,’ said one.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends. ‘Babes in the Wood.’ He that was mildest in moodgave thetruculent rascalhis gruel.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. xii. They were as wellgruelledas so many posters, before they got to the stile.[227]1888.Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Preferred to be easily knocked out totaking his gruellike a man.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 23 Jan. Both men were badly punished, but George had, of course, the lion’s share of thegruel.1891.Licensed Vict. Mirror, 30 Jan., p. 7, c. 3. All the advantage rested with the same side for some little time, Paddock getting such agruellingthat his head swelled out like a pumpkin.2. (American thieves’).—Coffee.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grueller,subs.(common).—A knock-down blow; a settler; afloorer(q.v.).Grumble-guts,subs.(popular).—An inveterate croaker. AlsoGrumble-gizzard.Grumbles.To be all on the grumbles,verb. phr.(popular).—To be discontented; cross;on the snarly-yow(q.v.).Grumbletonian,subs.(common).—A pattern of discontent: one ever on the grumble. [Grumbleton (during the reigns of the later Stuarts) = an imaginary centre of discontent; hence,Grumbletonian, a nickname of the County party, distinguished from the Court, as being in opposition.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grumbletonians, malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.1705–7.Ward,Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. 1, p. 24 (2nd Ed.). But all thegrumbletonianthrong Did with such violence rush along.1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, Act 1. Now, if I pleased, I could be so revenged upon the oldgrumbletonian.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grumbletonian, s.v., a discontented person.1849–61.Macaulay,Hist. of Eng., ch. xix. Who were sometimes nicknamed thegrumbletonians, and sometimes honoured with the appellation of the County party.Grummet,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Grumpy(orGrumpish),adj.(colloquial).—Surly; cross; angry.1840.Mrs. Trollope,Michael Armstrong, ch. vi. If you blubber or lookgrumpish.1859.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, 3 a.m., par. 13. Calling you a ‘cross,grumpy, old thing,’ when you mildly suggest that it is very near bed-time.1868.Miss Braddon,Trail of the Serpent, bk. IV., ch. i. Agrumpyold deaf keeper, and a boy, his assistant.1883.Punch, 19 May, p. 230, c. 2. They all lookedgrumpyand down in the mouth.Grundy,subs.(old).—A short fat man; aforty-guts(q.v.).—SeeMrs. Grundy.1563.Fox,Acts and Monuments(London, 1844), iii., 1104. For that he being a shortgrundy, and of little stature, did ride commonly with a great broad hat.Grunter,subs.(old).—1. A pig; agrunting-cheat(q.v.). In quot. 1652 = pork. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1656.Brome,Jovial Crew. Here’sgrunterand bleater, with tib-of-the-buttry.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grunter, s.v. A sucking pig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grunter, s.v.1841.Comic Almanack, p. 266. And the squeakinggrunteris loose on the green.1847–50.Tennyson,Princess, v. 26. A draggled mawkin, That tends her bristledgruntersin the sludge.[228]2. (common).—A sixpence. In quot. 1785 = 1s.Cf.,HogandPig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Grunter, s.v. A shilling.1858.A. Mayhew,Paved with Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 267. One of the men … had only taken three ‘twelvers’ [shillings] and agrunter.1885.Household Words, 20 June. p. 155. The sixpence … is variously known as a ‘pig,’ a ‘sow’s baby,’ agrunter, and ‘half a hog.’3. (common).—A policeman; atrap(q.v.); apig(q.v.sense 2). For synonyms,seeBeak.1820.London Magazine, i., 26. As a bonnet against …grunters.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum.Grunter, s.v., a country constable.4. (tailors’).—An habitual grumbler; agrumble-guts(q.v.)Grunter’s-gig,subs.(old).—A smoked pig’s chap.—Grose.Grunting-cheat,subs.(old).—A pig.SeeChete. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1567.Harman,Caveat, p. 86. She has a cackling-chete, agrunting-chete, ruff pecke, cassan, and poplarr of yarum.1622.Fletcher,Beggars Bush, v., 1. Or surprising a boor’s ken forgrunting-cheats? Or cackling-cheats?Grunting-peck,subs.(old).—Pork or bacon.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew,Grunting-peck, s.v., pork.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1836.Smith,Individual. ‘The Thieves’ Chaunt.’ But dearer to me Sue’s kisses far Thangrunting peckor other grub are.Gruts,subs.(common).—Tea; For synonyms,seeScandal-broth.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.G. T. T.Gone to Texas,phr.(American).—Absconded. [Moonshining gentry used to mark G. T. T. on the doors of their abandoned dwellings as a consolation for inquiring creditors.] Fr.,aller en Belgique. For synonyms,seeSwartwort.1835.Haliburton,Clockmaker, 5 S., ch. viii. Before this misfortin’ came I used to do a considerable smart chance of business; but now it’s time for me to cut dirt, and leave the country. I believe I must hang out the G. T. T. sign.—‘Why, what the plague is that?’ says I. ‘Gone to Texas,’ said he.Guage.—SeeGage.Gubbins,subs.(old).—Fish-offal.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.Gudgeon,subs.(old).—1. A bait; an allurement. Hence,To gudgeon(orto swallow a gudgeon) = to be extremely credulous or gullible.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 1. But fish not with this melancholy bait, For this fool’sgudgeon, this opinion.1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes,Bersela, s.v. To swallow agudgeon… to believe any tale.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Gudgeon, s.v. To swallow the bait, or fall into a trap, from the fish of that name which is easily taken.1892.National Observer, 23 July, vii., 235. It has educated Hodge into an increased readiness to gorge anygudgeonthat may be offered him.2. (colloquial).—An easy dupe; abuffle(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Guerrilla,subs.(American sharpers’).—Seequot.[229]1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v. This name is applied by gamblers to fellows who skin suckers when and where they can, who do not like the professional gamblers, but try to beat them, sometimes inform on them, and tell the suckers that they have been cheated.Guff,subs.(common).—Humbug; bluff; jabber. For synonyms,seeGammon.1889.Sportsman, 19 Jan. Hereafter he can have the newspapers to himself, and with that windbag Mitchell fill them withguffand nonsense, but I won’t notice them.Guffy,subs.(nautical).—A soldier. For synonyms,seeMudcrusher.Guiders,subs.(general).—1. Reins;ribbons(q.v.).2. (common).—Sinews;leaders(q.v.).Guinea.A guinea to a gooseberry,phr.(sporting).—Long odds.SeeLombard Street to a China Orange.1884.Hawley Smart,Post to Finish, ch. vli. What! old Writson against Sam Pearson? Why, it’s aguinea to a gooseberryon Sam!Guinea-dropper,subs.(old).—A sharper. Specifically one who let drop counterfeit guineas in collusion with agold-finder(q.v.). For synonyms,seeRook.1712,Gay,Trivia, iii., 249. Who now theguinea dropper’sbait regards, Tricked by the sharper’s dice or juggler’s cards.Guinea-hen,subs.(old).—A courtezan. For synonyms,seeBarrack-hackandTart.1602.Shakspeare,Othello, i., 3. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of aguinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.1630.Glapthorne,Albertus Wallenstein. Yonder’s the cock o’ the game About to tread yonguinea-hen, they’re billing.Guinea-pig,subs.(old).—1. A general term of reproach.1748.Smollett,Roderick Random, xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever stepp’d on forecastle—none of yourguinea-pigs,—nor your freshwater, wishy-washy, fair-weather fowls.2. (old).—Any one whose nominal fee for professional services is a guinea: as vets., special jurymen, etc. Now mainly restricted to clergymen acting as deputies, and (in contempt) to directors of public companies. HenceGuinea-trade= professional services of any kind.1821.Coombe,Dr. Syntax, Tour III., c. iv. ‘Oh, oh,’ cried Pat, ‘how my hand itches, Thouguinea-pig[a ‘vet.’], in boots and breeches, to trounce thee well.’1871.Temple Bar, vol. xxxi., p. 320. A much more significant term is that ofguinea pigs, the pleasant name for those gentlemen of more rank than means, who hire themselves out as directors of public companies, and who have a guinea and a copious lunch when they attend board meetings.1880.Church Review, 2 Jan.Guinea pigs… are, for the most part, unattached or roving parsons, who will take any brother cleric’s duty for the moderate remuneration of one guinea.1883.Saturday Review, 25 Aug., p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in the week. Recourse was had in vain to the neighbours, and it was decided at last to telegraph to London for aguinea pig.1884.Echo, 19 May, p. 1, c. 5. Let us apply the principle further, and imagine … limited liability swindlers tried by a jury ofguinea-pigsand company promoters.[230]1884.Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562, c. 3. And theguinea-pig, whose name is on a dozen different Boards, is justly regarded with suspicion.1886.Chambers’s Jour., 24 Apr., p. 258. In order to be considered of any value as Director of a Company, aguinea-pigought to have a handle to his name.1887.Payn,Glow Worm Tales. ‘A Failure of Justice.’ He is best known to the public as aguinea-pig, from his habit of sitting at boards and receiving for it that nominal remuneration, though in his case it stands for a much larger sum.1889.Drage,Cyril, vii. The rector has, as usual, got the gout, and we live under arégime… ofguinea-pigs.1890.Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4. The least attempt to saddle responsibility for misleading statements upon Boards of Directors would drive prudent, ‘respectable’ men out of what is vulgarly called theguinea-pigbusiness.3. (nautical).—Seequot.1840.Marryat,Poor Jack, ch. xxvi. While Bramble was questioned by the captain and passengers, I was attacked by the midshipmen, orguinea-pigsas they are called.Guise’s Geese,subs. phr.(military).—The Sixth Foot or ‘Saucy Sixth.’ [From its Colonel’s name, 1735–63.]Guiver,subs.(theatrical).—(1) Flattery, and (2)artfulness(q.v.). For synonyms,seeSoft Soap.Adj.(common).—Smart; fashionable;on it(q.v.).Guiver lad= a low-class dandy; also anartful member(q.v.).a.1866.Vance,Chickaleary Cove. The stock around my squeeze of aguivercolour see.Verb(sporting).—To humbug;to fool about(q.v.); to show off.1891.Sporting Life, 25 Mar. He goes into a ring tofighthis man, not to spar and look pretty, and run, and dodge, andguiver.Gulf,subs.(old).—1. The throat; also the maw. For synonyms,seeGutter-alley.1579.Spencer,Shephearde’s Calendar, Sept. That with many a lamb had glutted hisgulf.2. (Cambridge Univ.).—The bottom of a list of ‘passes,’ with the names of those who only just succeed in getting their degree.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 205. Some ten or fifteen men just on the line, not bad enough to be plucked, or good enough to be placed, are put into thegulf, as it is popularly called (the examiners’ phrase is ‘degrees allowed’), and have their degrees given them, but are not printed in the calendar.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A man who, going in for honours, only gets a pass.Verb(Cambridge Univ.).—To place in thegulf,subs., sense 2 (q.v.);to be gulfed= to be on such a list. [Men so placed were not eligible for the Classical Tripos].Cf.,PluckandPlough.1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, pt. iii., p. 89. I am not going to let themgulphme a second time.1863.H. Kingsley,Austin Elliot, p. 123. The good Professor scolded, predicted that they would all be eithergulfedor ploughed.1865.Sporting Gaz., 1 Apr. A man who wasgulfedfor mathematical honours was certainly, in olden time, unable to enter for the classical examination; but though the arrangement is altered, the term isnotobsolete. A man who isgulfedis considered to know enough mathematics for an ordinary degree, but not enough to be allowed his degree in mathematics only; he is consequently obliged to pass in all the ordinary subjects (except mathematics) for the ‘poll,’ before taking his degree.[231]1876.Trevelyan,Life of Macaulay(1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos of 1822 made its appearance, his name did not grace the list. In short … Macaulay wasgulfed.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 297. I discovered that my name was nowhere to be found—that I wasgulfed.Gulf-spin,subs.(American cadet).—A rascal; a worthless fellow;a beat(q.v.) ashyster(q.v.).Gull,subs.(old, now recognised).—1. A ninny. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1596.Sir J. Davies,Book of Epigrams. Agullis he who feares a velvet gowne, And when a wench is brave dares not speak to her; Agullis he which traverseth the towne, And is for marriage known a common wooer; Agullis he, which while he proudly weares A silver-hilted rapier by his side. Indures the lye and knockes about the eares, While in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But to define agullin termes precise—Agullis he whichseems, andis not, wise.1598.Florio,A World of Wordes,passim.1609.Jonson,Case is Altered, iv., 3.Jun.Tut, thou art a goose to be Cupid’sgull.1609.Shakspeare,Timon of Athens. Lord Timon will be left a nakedgull. Which flashes now a phœnix.1614.Overbury,Characters. ‘A Roaring Boy.’ He cheats younggulsthat are newly come to town.1618.Rowlands,Night Raven, p. 28 (H. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses where base cheaters vse, And note whatgulls(to worke vpon) they chuse.1661.Brome,Poems, ‘The Cure of Care.’ Thosegullsthat by scraping and toiling.1818.S. E. Ferrier,Marriage, ch. li. The poorgullwas caught, and is now, I really believe, as much in love as it is in the nature of a stupid man to be.1850.D. Jerrold,The Catspaw, Act i. Pshaw! some rascal that lives on simpletons andgulls.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 231. I was a dweller under roofs; thegullof that which we call civilisation.2. (old).—A cheat; a fraud; a trick.1600.Shakspeare,Much Ado about Nothing, ii., 3. I should think this agull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A swindler; a trickster.Cf.,Gull-catcher, of which it is probably an abbreviation.1825.The English Spy, v. I., p. 161. ‘You’ll excuse me, sir, but as you arefresh, take care to avoid thegulls.’ ‘I never understood thatgullswere birds of prey,’ said I. ‘Only in Oxford, sir, and here, I assure you, they bite like hawks.’Verb(old: now recognised).—To cheat; to dupe; to victimise;to take in(q.v.). in any fashion and to any purpose.1596.Jonson,Every Man in his Humour, v. This is a mere trick, a device, you aregulledin this most grossly.1602.Shakspeare,Twelfth Night, ii., 3.Mar.For Monsieur Maluolio, let me alone with him; If I do notgullhim into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not thinke I haue witte enough to lye straight in my bed; I know I can do it.1607.Rowlands,Diogenes, his Lanthorne, p. 11 (H. C. Rept. 1873). He promist me good stuffetruly, a great pennyworthindeed, and verily didgullme.1610.Jonson,Alchemist, v., 2. Hast thougulledher of her jewels or her bracelets?1639.Selden,Table Talk, p. 98 (Arber’s ed.). Presbyters have the greatest power of any Clergy in the world, andgullthe Laity most.1778.Sketches for Tabernacle-Frames, p. 25,note. ThesefanaticalPreachers frequently squeeze out Tears togulltheir Audience.[232]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, I., 472. It’s generally the lower order that hegulls.1892.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, ix. Pay your debts, andgullthe world a little longer.HenceGullible,adj., = easily duped.
To have the grindstone on his back,verb. phr.(common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—Grose.Grinning-stitches,subs.(milliners’).—Slovenly sewing; stitches wide apart;ladders(q.v.).Grip(orGripsack),subs.(American).—A hand-bag or satchell.To lose one’s grip,verb. phr.(American).—To fail; to lose one’s control.Gripe,subs.(old).—1. A miser; a usurer. AlsoGriperorGripe-fist(q.v.). For synonyms,seeHunksandSixty-per-cent.Griping= extortion.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Gripe, orgriper, s.v. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.2.in. pl.(colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; theCollywobbles. For synonyms,seeJerry-go-nimble.1684.Bunyan,Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of thegripes.1705.Char. of a Sneake, inHarl. Misc.(ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms butsemper eademgives him thegripes.1714.Spectator, No 559. Meeting the true father, who came towards him with a fit of thegripes, he begged him to take his son again, and give back his cholic.1812.Coombe,Tour in Search of Picturesque, c. xxvi. That he who daily smokes two pipes, The tooth-ache never has—norgripes.Gripe-fist,subs.(common).—A miser; a grasping broker. For synonyms,seeHunks. AlsoGripe-penny.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grist,subs.(American).—A large number or quantity. [Swift usesgrist= a supply; a provision.]1848.Cooper,Oak Openings. There’s an unaccountablegristof bees, I can tell you.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, i., 305. I … got pretty considerable soaked by agristof rain.To bring grist to the mill,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To bring profitable business; to be a source of profit.1719.Poor Robin’s Almanack, May. Lawyers pleading do refrain A while, and then fall to ’t again; Strife bringsgristunto theirmill.1770.Foote,Lame Lover, i. Well, let them go on, it bringsgrist to our mill.1804.Horsley,Speech, 23 July. A sly old pope created twenty new saints,to bring grist to the millof the London clergy.1817.Scott,Ivanhoe, c. 16. Some three or four dried pease—a miserablegristfor such a mill.[219]1838.Dickens,Nich. Nickleby, ch. xxxiv., p. 268. Meantime the foolsbring grist to my mill.Gristle,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Grit,subs.(originally American: now colloquial).—1. Character; pluck; spirit;sand(q.v.). Alsoclear grit.No grit= lacking in stamina; wanting in courage.1825.Neal,Bro. Jonathan, bk. II., ch. xiv. A chap who was cleargritfor a tussle, any time.1848.Burton,Waggeries,etc., p. 13. The old folks … began to think that she warn’t theclear grit.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. vi. A real lady—l’air noble—the rael genuinegrit, as Sam Slick says.1852.H. B. Stowe,Uncle Tom’s Cabin, ch. vii.You’re a right brave old girl. I likegrit, wherever I see it.1860.Thackeray,Philip, ch. xxxi. If you were a chip of the old block you would be just what he called thegrit.1889.Referee, 6 Jan. They never did think there was any realgritabout him.1890.Scribner, Feb., 242. ‘Looks like he gotgrit, don’t it?’ Lige muttered.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 249. I am as full ofgritand work as ever, and just tower above our troubles.2. (Canadian political).—A member of the Liberal party.Gritty,adj.(American).—Plucky; courageous; resolute; full of character.1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 106. There never was agrittyercrowd congregated on that stream.Grizzle,verb.(colloquial).—To fret. Alsoto grizzle one’s guts.1872.Miss Braddon,To the Bitter End, ch. xvi. ‘If the locket’s lost, it’s lost,’ she said philosophically; ‘and there’s no use ingrizzlingabout it.’Grizzle-guts(orGrizzle-orGlum-pot).subs.(common).—A melancholy or ill-tempered person; asulkington(q.v.).Groaner,subs.(old).—A thief plying his trade at funerals or religious gatherings.1848.Duncombe,Sinks of London, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Groaning,subs.(old).—The act of parturition. Also,adj., parturient; or appertaining to parturition: as ingroaning-malt(Scots’) = drink for a lying-in;groaning-pains= the pangs of delivery;groaning-wife= a woman ready to lie-in.1594.Nashe,Unfort. Trav.(Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 92. As smoothe as agroaning-wive’sbellie.1596.Shakspeare,Hamlet, iii., 2. It would cost you agroaningto take off my edge.1786.Burns,The Rantin’ Dog the Daddie O’t. Wha will bring thegroaning-malt?Groats,subs.(nautical).—The chaplain’s monthly allowance.To save one’s groats,verb. phr.(old University).—To come off handsomely. [At the Universities nine groats are deposited in the hands of an academic officer by every person standing for a degree, which, if the depositor obtains, with honour, are returned to him.—Grose.]Grocery,subs.(common).—1. Small change.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.2. (American).—A drinking bar. AlsoConfectioneryandGroggery.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc. 104. He went into his favouritegrocery.[220]3. (common).—Sugar. [A restricted use of a colloquialism.]1841.Lytton,Night and Morning, Bk. V., ch. ii. A private room and a pint of brandy, my dear. Hot water and lots of thegrocery.Grog,subs.(old: now recognised).—Spirits and water; strong drink generally. [Till Admiral Vernon’s time (1745) rum was served neat, but he ordered it to be diluted, and was therefore nicknamed ‘Old Grog,’ in allusion to his grogram coat: a phrase that was presently adapted to the mixture he had introduced.]Groggy= drunk.Verb.(old).—To dilute or adulterate with water.1878.Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury, 8 Mar. The defendants hadgroggedthe casks by putting in hot water.To have grog on board(orto be grogged),verb. phr.(common).—To be drunk. For synonyms,seeScrewed.1842.Comic Almanack, October. He stands and listens, sad and dogged, To ‘fined five bob’ for beinggrogged.Grog-blossom,subs.(common).—A pimple caused by drinking to excess. AlsoCopper-noseandJolly-nose. Fr.,un nez culottéandun nez de pompettes.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum,Grog-blossom, s.v.1883.Thos. Hardy,The Three Strangers, inLongman’s Mag., March, p. 576. A fewgrog-blossomsmarked the neighbourhood of his nose.1888.W. Besant,Fifty Years Ago, ch. xi., p. 169. The outward and visible signs of rum were indeed various. First, there was the red and swollen nose, next, the nose beautifully painted withgrog-blossoms.Grog-fight,subs.(military).—A drinking party.Cf.,Tea-fight.1876.R. M. Jephson,Girl he Left Behind Him, ch. 1. He had been having agrog-fightin his room to celebrate the event.Groggery,subs.(American).—A public bar; a grog-shop.Groggy,adj.(colloquial).—1. Under the influence of drink. For synonyms,seeDrinksandScrewed.1829.Buckstone,Billy Taylor. i., as a gay young woman, will delude Taylor away from Mary, make himgroggy, then press him off to sea.1863.Fun, 23 May, p. 98, c. 2. They fined drunkards and swearers, and there is a record in the parish-books, among others of a similar nature, of a certain Mrs. Thunder who was fined twelve shillings for being, like Mr. Cruikshank’s horse at the Brighton Review, decidedlygroggy.1872.Echo, 30 July. A model of perfection had she not shown more than necessary partiality to her elder friend’s brandy bottle during the journey, despite the latter’s oft-repeated caution not to becomegroggy.2. (colloquial).—Staggering or stupified with drink. Also (stable) moving as with tender feet. Also (pugilists’) unsteady from punishment and exhaustion. Fr.,locher= to begroggy.1831.Youatt,The Horse, ch. xvi., p. 380. Long journeys at a fast pace will make almost any horsegroggy.1846–8.Thackeray,Vanity Fair, vol. ii., ch. v. Cuff coming up full of pluck, but quite reeling andgroggy, the Fig-merchant put in his left as usual on his adversary’s nose, and sent him down for the last time.1853.Diogenes, vol. ii., p. 177. The anxiety is not confined to the metropolis; as a respectable grazier, who rides agroggyhorse, on hearing of it at a public-house the other day, affirmed it to be the mysterious cause of the rise in the value of horseflesh.1888.Sportsman, 28 Nov. In the tenth Thompson, who had been growinggroggy, to the surprise of Evans began to force the fighting.[221]Grogham,subs.(old).—A horse; adaisy-kicker(q.v.). Now mostly in contempt. For synonyms,seePrad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grog-shop,subs.(common).—The mouth. For synonyms,seePotatoe-trap.1843.Thackeray,Men’s Wives,Frank Berry, ch. i. Claret drawn in profusion from the gown-boy’sgrog-shop.Grog-tub,subs.(nautical).—A brandy bottle.Groom,subs.(gamesters’).—A croupier.Groomed.SeeWell-groomed.Groovy,subs.(American).—A sardine.Adj.(popular).—Settled in habit; limited in mind.Grope,verb. (venery).—To feel a woman; to fumble; tofam(q.v.).1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Mariolement.Gropingof a wench.1719.Durfey,Pills, etc., i., 194. Smoking, toping, Landladygroping.Groper,subs.(old).—1. A blind man;hoodman(q.v.).1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.2. (old).—A pocket. For synonyms,seeBrighandSky-rocket.1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 143.Gropers.Pockets.3. (old).—A midwife; afingersmith(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grotto,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Ground.To suit down to the ground,verb. phr.(common).—To be thoroughly becoming or acceptable.1878.M. E. Braddon,Cloven Foot, ch. xlv. Some sea coast city in South America wouldsuit me down to the ground.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 9 Feb. I knows the very bloke that’llsuit you down to the ground.1891.Sporting Life, 28 Mar. At Knowle he issuited down to the ground.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. ii. Theysuit me right down to the ground.To wipe(ormop)up the ground(orfloor)with one,verb. phr.(common).—To administer the very soundest thrashing; to prove oneself absolutely superior to one’s opposite.1887.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, i., 3. Muck! that’s my opinion of him; … I’llmop the floor up with himany day, if so be as you or any on ’em ’ll make it worth my while.1888.Detroit Free Press, Aug. The Scroggin boy was as tough as a dogwood knot. He’dwipe up the ground with him; he’d walk all over him.To go(orget)well to the ground,verb. phr.(old colloquial).—To defæcate;to rear(q.v.). For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1608.Middleton,Family of Love, v. 3. Do yougo well to the ground?1856.Notes and Queries, 2 S., i., p. 324.To get to the ground, in medical phraseology, means to have the bowels opened.[222]Grounder,subs.(cricketers’).—A ball with a ground delivery; asneak; agrub; and (in America) at base-ball, a ball struck low, or flying near the ground.Ground-floor.To be let in on the Ground-floor,verb. phr.(American).—To share in a speculation on equal terms with the original promoters.Ground-squirrel,subs.(old).—A hog; agrunter—Lex. Bal.For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.Ground-sweat.To have(ortake)a ground-sweat,verb. phr.(old).—To be buried.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Ground sweat, s.v., a grave.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grouse.To do a grouse(orto go grousing),verb. phr.(venery).—To quest, or to run down, a woman;to molrow(q.v.).Groused=Molled(q.v.).Grouser,subs.(popular).—1. A grumbler. For synonyms,seeRusty-guts.2. (venery).—One who goes questing after women; amolrower(q.v.).3. (sporting).—A rowing man; awet-bob(q.v.).Grousing,subs.(venery).—Going in quest of women;sparrow-catching(q.v.);molrowing(q.v.).Groute,verb. (Marlborough and Cheltenham Colleges).—To work or study hard; toswot(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWire In.Grouty,adj.(common).—Crabbed; sulky.Grove of Eglantine,subs. phr.(venery).—The femalepudendum; also the female pubic hair. For synonyms,seeMonosyllableandFleece.1772.Carew,Poems. ‘A Rapture.’ Retire into thyGrove of Eglantine.Grove of the Evangelist,subs. phr.(common).—St. John’s Wood; alsoApostle’s Grove, and theBaptist’s Wood.Grow,verb. (prison).—To be accorded the privilege of letting one’s hair and beard grow. Alsoto grow one’s feathers.Growler,subs.(common).—A four-wheeled cab.Cf.,Sulky.English Synonyms.—Bird-cage; blucher; bounder; fever-trap; flounder-and-dab (rhyming); four-wheeler; groping hutch; mab (an old hackney); rattler; rumbler.French Synonyms.—Un bordel ambulant(common = a walking brothel);un char numèroté(popular);un flatar(thieves’);un foutoir ambulant(= a fuckery on wheels);un mylord(popular).1870.Orchestra, 21 Mar. A recent enigmatical bill-poster on the walls, with the device ‘Hie, Cabby, Hie!’ turns out to be a Patent Cab Call—an ingenious sort of lamp-signal for remote hansoms andgrowlers.1873.Land and Water, 25 Jan. The knacker’s yard is baulked for a time, while the quadruped shambles along in some poverty-strickengrowler.[223]1883.Daily Telegraph, 8 Jan., p. 5, c. 3. But while a great improvement has been made in hansoms of late years, the four-wheeler orgrowleris still as a rule a disgrace to the metropolis.1890.Daily Graphic, 7 Jan., p. 14, c. 1. What with hansom cabs andgrowlersand private broughams; what with bonded carmen’s towering waggons.1891.Globe, 15 July, p. 1, c. 3. Adapting the words of Waller to the condition of many of ourgrowlers—The cab’s dull framework, battered and decayed, Lets in the air through gaps that time has made.To rush(orwork)the growler,verb. phr.(American workmen’s).—Seequot. [Growler= pitcher.]1888.New York Herald, 29 July. One evil of which the inspectors took particular notice was that of the employment by hands in a number of factories of boys and girls, under ten and thirteen years, to fetch beer for them, or in other wordsto rush the growler.Grown-man’s-dose,subs.(common).—A lot of liquor. Also along drink(q.v.). For synonyms,seeGo.Grown-up,subs.(colloquial).—An adult: among undertakers, agrown.1864.Dickens,Our Mutual Friend, Bk. ii., ch. 1. I always did likegrown ups.Grub,subs.(vulgar).—1. Food.English Synonyms.—Belly-cheer (or chere); belly-furniture; belly-timber; Kaffir’s tightener (specifically, a full meal); chuck; corn; gorge-grease; manablins (= broken victuals); mouth harness; mungarly; peck; prog; scoff (S. African); scran; stodge; tack; tommy (specifically, bread); tuck; yam. Also, verbally, to bung the cask; to grease the gills; to have the run of one’s teeth; to yam.SeealsoWolf.French Synonyms.—La becquetance(popular = peck);le biffre(popular);la frigousse(popular);la fripe(popular, from O. Fr.,fripper= to eat);la gringue(common);les matériaux(freemason’s = materials);la briffe(popular);la boustifaille(popular);le harnois de gueule(Rabelais: = mouth-harness);le coton(popular, an allusion to a lamp-wick);les comestaux(popular = comestibles);le tortorage(thieves’);la broute(popular = grazing);la morfe(O. Fr. Also, in a verbal sense = to feed);tortiller du bec(popular = to wag a jaw);se calfater le bec(nautical: also = to drink);becqueter(popular = to ‘peck’);béquiller(popular);chiquer(popular = to ‘chaw’);bouffer(popular);boulotter(common);taper sur les vivres(popular = to assault the eatables);pitancher(common: also = to drink);passer à la tortore(thieves’);se l’envoyer;casser la croustille(thieves’ = to crack a crust);tortorer(thieves’);briffer;passer à briffe(popular);brouter(Villon= to browse);se caler, orse caler les amygdales(popular);mettre de l’huile dans la lampe(common = to trim the lamp);se coller quelque chose dans le fanal,dans le fusil, ordans le tube(popular = to trim one’s beacon-light; to load one’s gun, etc.);chamailler des dents(popular = to ‘go it’ with the ivories);jouer des badigoinces(common:badigoinces= chaps);jouer des dominos(popular:dominos= teeth);déchirer la cartouche(military);gobichonner(popular);engouler(popular = to bolt);engueuler(colloquial = to gobble);friturer(popular: also = to cook);gonfler(popular: to blow out);morfiaillier(Rabelaisian);morfigner,[224]ormorfiler(From O. Fr.,morfier;cf., Ital.,morfireormorfizzare);cacher(popular = to stow away);se mettre quelque chose dans le cadavre(popular = to stoke);se lester la cale(nautical: to lay in ballast);se graisser les balots(thieves’: to grease the gills);se caresser(to do oneself a good turn);effacer(popular = to put away);travailler pour M. Domange(popular: M. Domange was a famousgoldfinderorgong farmer[q.v.]);clapoter(popular);debrider la margoulette(popular = to put one’s nose in the manger);croustiller(popular);charger pour la guadaloupe(popular);travailler pour Jules(common:Jules= Mrs. Jones);se faire le jabot(popular,jabot= stomach);jouer des osanores(popular:osanores= teeth);casser(thieves’);claquer(familiar = to rattle one’s ivories);klebjer(popular);faire trimer les mathurins(popular = to make the running with one’s teeth);se coller quelque chose dans le bocal(common:bocal= paunch);estropier(popular = to maim);passer à galtos(nautical);bourrer la paillasse(common = to stuff the mattress);faire trimer le battant(thieves’);jouer des mandibules(popular);s’emplir le gilet(popular = to fill one’s waistcoat);se garnir le bocal(popular: to furnish one’s paunch);se suiver la gargarousse(nautical: also = to drink);babouiner(popular);charger la canonnière(popular:canonnière= the breech);gousser(popular);gouffier(obsolete).German Synonyms.—Achile,Achelinchen, orAcheliniken(from Heb.Ochal);Achelputz(from Heb.ochal+putzenfrom O.H.G.bizanorpizzan= to eat).Italian Synonyms.—Artibrio; and, verbally,sbattere(= to beat, to struggle);intappare il fusto(= to bung the cask);smorfire.Spanish Synonyms.—Papar(colloquial: frompapa= pap);hacer el buche(low:buche= craw or crop);echar(colloquial);manducar;meter.1659.Dialogue betwixt an Exciseman and Death, transcribed from a Copy in British Museum, printed in London by J. C[lark]. I’ll pass my word this night Shall yield usgrubbefore the morning light.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., victuals.1781.G. Parker,View of Society, I., 171. How did you procure yourgrubandBub?1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 149.Bub and Grub. A mighty low expression, signifying victuals and drink.1836.M. Scott,Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. iii. Poor Purser! de people call him Purser, sir, because him knowing chap; him cabbage all degrub, slush, and stuff in him own corner.d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. Any bubby andgrub, I say?1857.Thackeray,Shabby Genteel Story, ch. i., p. 9. He used to … have hisgrubtoo on board.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. i., p. 45. I at once congratulated myself on not being a large eater, as there was no doubt but mygrubwould runveryshort if it depended on my oakum-picking.1889.Star, 3 Dec., p. 2, c. 6. Of course it wasgrub. It was for food, the food for which they beg, and steal, and go willingly to prison, for a certain good square meal of meat.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 154. That sad, sad secret about Mary would keep him ingrubfor the next day or two at ‘The Rose in Bloom.’2. (old).—A short thick-set man; a dwarf. In contempt. For synonyms,seeHop-o’-my-Thumb.[225]3. (colloquial).—A dirty sloven; generally used of elderly people.4. (American).—A careful student; a hard reader.1856.Hall,College Words and Phrases, quoted fromWilliams’ Coll. Quarterly, ii., 246. A hard reader or student:e.g., notgrubsor reading men, only wordy men.5. (American).—Roots and stumps; whatever is ‘grubbed up.’6. (cricketers’).—A ball delivered along the ground; agrounder(q.v.); adaisy-cutter(q.v.). For synonyms,seeLob-sneak.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.Grub, s.v.Verb.(old).—1. To take or supply with food. For synonyms,seesubs.sense 1.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., to eat.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grub, s.v., to dine.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xxii., p. 184. I never see such a chap to eat and drink; never. The red-nosed man warn’t by no means the sort of person you’d like togrubby contract, but he was nothin’ to the shepherd.1883.Daily Telegraph, 18 May, p. 3, c. 1. ‘They are not bound togrubyou, don’t you know,’ said Mr. Sleasey, ‘and they try the starving dodge on you sometimes.’2. (old).—To beg; to ask for alms, especially food.3. (American).—To study, or read hard; to ‘sweat.’To ride grub,verb. phr.(old).—To be sulky;crusty(q.v.); disagreeable.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue. Toride grub, to be sullen or out of temper.To grub along,verb. phr.(common).—To make one’s way as best one can; ‘to rub along.’1888.Daily Telegraph, 19 Oct. When a youth left school to follow the pursuits of life he found that he had togrub alongas best he could.Grubbing,subs.(common).—Eating.1819.Moore,Tom Crib. What with snoozing, highgrubbing, and guzzling like Cloe.Grubbery,subs.(common).—(1) an eating-house. Also (2) a dining-room, and (3) the mouth.Grubbing-crib,subs.(general).—1. An eating-house.Grubbing-crib faker= the landlord of a cheap cookshop. Fr.,le nourrisseur; Sp.,un ostalero.SeeGrub Shop, sense 2.English Synonyms.—Grubbery; grubby-, or grubbing-ken; grub-shop; guttle-shop; hash-house; mungarly casa; prog-shop; slap-bang shop; tuck-shop; waste-butt.French Synonyms.—Un bourre-boyaux(popular = a stuff-your-guts);un claquedents(popular, also = a brothel, or punting-house);une guingette(general);une mangeoire(popular = a grubbery:manger= to eat);un mattais(popular);un gargot(thieves’).German Synonym.—Achilebajes(from Heb.,Ochal= to eat).Spanish Synonym.—Ostaleria, orOsteria(also = lush-crib).1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf, s.v.2. (tramps’).—A workhouse. For synonyms,seeSpinniken. SometimesGrubbiken.[226]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the good houses, and the tidygrubbikens—that’s the unions where there’s little or nothing to do for the food we gets.Grubble,verb. (colloquial).—(1) To feel for at random or in the dark; and (2) (venery)to grope(q.v.).1684.Dryden,The Disappointment. ‘Prologue.’ The doughty bullies enter bloody drunk, Invade andgrubbleone another’s punk.Grubby,subs.(thieves’).—Food. [A diminutive ofGrub(q.v.).]d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol lol, etc. Ay, bub orgrubby, I say.Adj.(colloquial).—Dirty; slovenly.d.1845.Hood,A Black Job. Like agrubbylot of sooty sweeps or colliers.Grub-hunting,subs.(tramps’).—Begging for food.Grub-shite,verb. (old).—To make foul or dirty; to bewray.—Grose.Grub-shop, (or-crib,-trap, etc.),subs.(common).—1. The mouth; and (2) agrubbery(q.v.). For synonyms,seePotato-trap.1840.Thackeray,Comic Almanack, p. 229. ‘That’s thegrub shop,’ said my lord, ‘where we young gentlemen wot has money buys our wittles.’3.SeeGrubbing-cribin both senses.Grub-stake,subs.(American).—Food and other necessaries furnished to mining prospectors in return for a share in the ‘finds.’ Hence, togrub-stake= to speculate after this fashion.1884.Butterworth,Zig-zag Journeys. When miners become so poor that they are not able to furnish the necessary tools and food with which to ‘go prospecting’, a third party of sufficient means offers to furnish tools and provisions on condition that he is to have a certain interest in anything that may be found.1891.Gunter,Miss Nobody of Nowhere, p. 100. Hegrub-stakedus and we used to work on the Tillie mine together.Grub-street,subs.(colloquial).—The world of cheap, mean, needy authors. [Originally a street near Moorfields, changed in 1830 to Milton Street.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Grub-streetnews, false, forg’d.1728.Pope,Dunciad, iii., 135. Shall take throughgrub-streethis triumphant round.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. AGrub-streetwriter means a hackney author, who manufactures books for the booksellers.1813. J. and H.Smith,Horace in London, ‘The Classic Villa.’Grub-street, ’tis called.1821.Egan,Life in London, i. Few, if any, writers, out of the great mass of living scribblers, whether ofGrub-Streetfabrication, or of University passport … possess souls above buttons.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 119. We are going it, have got our agents inGrub Street.Gruel,subs.(common).—1. A beating;punishment(q.v.). For synonyms,seeTanning. Hence,to get(orgive)one’s gruel= to castigate, or be well beaten; also killed. In the prize ring = to knock a man out for good.Gruelled= floored; alsoGruelling.1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxviii. He gathered in general, that they expressed great indignation against some individual. ‘He shall have hisgruel,’ said one.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends. ‘Babes in the Wood.’ He that was mildest in moodgave thetruculent rascalhis gruel.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. xii. They were as wellgruelledas so many posters, before they got to the stile.[227]1888.Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Preferred to be easily knocked out totaking his gruellike a man.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 23 Jan. Both men were badly punished, but George had, of course, the lion’s share of thegruel.1891.Licensed Vict. Mirror, 30 Jan., p. 7, c. 3. All the advantage rested with the same side for some little time, Paddock getting such agruellingthat his head swelled out like a pumpkin.2. (American thieves’).—Coffee.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grueller,subs.(common).—A knock-down blow; a settler; afloorer(q.v.).Grumble-guts,subs.(popular).—An inveterate croaker. AlsoGrumble-gizzard.Grumbles.To be all on the grumbles,verb. phr.(popular).—To be discontented; cross;on the snarly-yow(q.v.).Grumbletonian,subs.(common).—A pattern of discontent: one ever on the grumble. [Grumbleton (during the reigns of the later Stuarts) = an imaginary centre of discontent; hence,Grumbletonian, a nickname of the County party, distinguished from the Court, as being in opposition.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grumbletonians, malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.1705–7.Ward,Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. 1, p. 24 (2nd Ed.). But all thegrumbletonianthrong Did with such violence rush along.1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, Act 1. Now, if I pleased, I could be so revenged upon the oldgrumbletonian.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grumbletonian, s.v., a discontented person.1849–61.Macaulay,Hist. of Eng., ch. xix. Who were sometimes nicknamed thegrumbletonians, and sometimes honoured with the appellation of the County party.Grummet,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Grumpy(orGrumpish),adj.(colloquial).—Surly; cross; angry.1840.Mrs. Trollope,Michael Armstrong, ch. vi. If you blubber or lookgrumpish.1859.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, 3 a.m., par. 13. Calling you a ‘cross,grumpy, old thing,’ when you mildly suggest that it is very near bed-time.1868.Miss Braddon,Trail of the Serpent, bk. IV., ch. i. Agrumpyold deaf keeper, and a boy, his assistant.1883.Punch, 19 May, p. 230, c. 2. They all lookedgrumpyand down in the mouth.Grundy,subs.(old).—A short fat man; aforty-guts(q.v.).—SeeMrs. Grundy.1563.Fox,Acts and Monuments(London, 1844), iii., 1104. For that he being a shortgrundy, and of little stature, did ride commonly with a great broad hat.Grunter,subs.(old).—1. A pig; agrunting-cheat(q.v.). In quot. 1652 = pork. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1656.Brome,Jovial Crew. Here’sgrunterand bleater, with tib-of-the-buttry.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grunter, s.v. A sucking pig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grunter, s.v.1841.Comic Almanack, p. 266. And the squeakinggrunteris loose on the green.1847–50.Tennyson,Princess, v. 26. A draggled mawkin, That tends her bristledgruntersin the sludge.[228]2. (common).—A sixpence. In quot. 1785 = 1s.Cf.,HogandPig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Grunter, s.v. A shilling.1858.A. Mayhew,Paved with Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 267. One of the men … had only taken three ‘twelvers’ [shillings] and agrunter.1885.Household Words, 20 June. p. 155. The sixpence … is variously known as a ‘pig,’ a ‘sow’s baby,’ agrunter, and ‘half a hog.’3. (common).—A policeman; atrap(q.v.); apig(q.v.sense 2). For synonyms,seeBeak.1820.London Magazine, i., 26. As a bonnet against …grunters.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum.Grunter, s.v., a country constable.4. (tailors’).—An habitual grumbler; agrumble-guts(q.v.)Grunter’s-gig,subs.(old).—A smoked pig’s chap.—Grose.Grunting-cheat,subs.(old).—A pig.SeeChete. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1567.Harman,Caveat, p. 86. She has a cackling-chete, agrunting-chete, ruff pecke, cassan, and poplarr of yarum.1622.Fletcher,Beggars Bush, v., 1. Or surprising a boor’s ken forgrunting-cheats? Or cackling-cheats?Grunting-peck,subs.(old).—Pork or bacon.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew,Grunting-peck, s.v., pork.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1836.Smith,Individual. ‘The Thieves’ Chaunt.’ But dearer to me Sue’s kisses far Thangrunting peckor other grub are.Gruts,subs.(common).—Tea; For synonyms,seeScandal-broth.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.G. T. T.Gone to Texas,phr.(American).—Absconded. [Moonshining gentry used to mark G. T. T. on the doors of their abandoned dwellings as a consolation for inquiring creditors.] Fr.,aller en Belgique. For synonyms,seeSwartwort.1835.Haliburton,Clockmaker, 5 S., ch. viii. Before this misfortin’ came I used to do a considerable smart chance of business; but now it’s time for me to cut dirt, and leave the country. I believe I must hang out the G. T. T. sign.—‘Why, what the plague is that?’ says I. ‘Gone to Texas,’ said he.Guage.—SeeGage.Gubbins,subs.(old).—Fish-offal.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.Gudgeon,subs.(old).—1. A bait; an allurement. Hence,To gudgeon(orto swallow a gudgeon) = to be extremely credulous or gullible.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 1. But fish not with this melancholy bait, For this fool’sgudgeon, this opinion.1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes,Bersela, s.v. To swallow agudgeon… to believe any tale.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Gudgeon, s.v. To swallow the bait, or fall into a trap, from the fish of that name which is easily taken.1892.National Observer, 23 July, vii., 235. It has educated Hodge into an increased readiness to gorge anygudgeonthat may be offered him.2. (colloquial).—An easy dupe; abuffle(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Guerrilla,subs.(American sharpers’).—Seequot.[229]1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v. This name is applied by gamblers to fellows who skin suckers when and where they can, who do not like the professional gamblers, but try to beat them, sometimes inform on them, and tell the suckers that they have been cheated.Guff,subs.(common).—Humbug; bluff; jabber. For synonyms,seeGammon.1889.Sportsman, 19 Jan. Hereafter he can have the newspapers to himself, and with that windbag Mitchell fill them withguffand nonsense, but I won’t notice them.Guffy,subs.(nautical).—A soldier. For synonyms,seeMudcrusher.Guiders,subs.(general).—1. Reins;ribbons(q.v.).2. (common).—Sinews;leaders(q.v.).Guinea.A guinea to a gooseberry,phr.(sporting).—Long odds.SeeLombard Street to a China Orange.1884.Hawley Smart,Post to Finish, ch. vli. What! old Writson against Sam Pearson? Why, it’s aguinea to a gooseberryon Sam!Guinea-dropper,subs.(old).—A sharper. Specifically one who let drop counterfeit guineas in collusion with agold-finder(q.v.). For synonyms,seeRook.1712,Gay,Trivia, iii., 249. Who now theguinea dropper’sbait regards, Tricked by the sharper’s dice or juggler’s cards.Guinea-hen,subs.(old).—A courtezan. For synonyms,seeBarrack-hackandTart.1602.Shakspeare,Othello, i., 3. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of aguinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.1630.Glapthorne,Albertus Wallenstein. Yonder’s the cock o’ the game About to tread yonguinea-hen, they’re billing.Guinea-pig,subs.(old).—1. A general term of reproach.1748.Smollett,Roderick Random, xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever stepp’d on forecastle—none of yourguinea-pigs,—nor your freshwater, wishy-washy, fair-weather fowls.2. (old).—Any one whose nominal fee for professional services is a guinea: as vets., special jurymen, etc. Now mainly restricted to clergymen acting as deputies, and (in contempt) to directors of public companies. HenceGuinea-trade= professional services of any kind.1821.Coombe,Dr. Syntax, Tour III., c. iv. ‘Oh, oh,’ cried Pat, ‘how my hand itches, Thouguinea-pig[a ‘vet.’], in boots and breeches, to trounce thee well.’1871.Temple Bar, vol. xxxi., p. 320. A much more significant term is that ofguinea pigs, the pleasant name for those gentlemen of more rank than means, who hire themselves out as directors of public companies, and who have a guinea and a copious lunch when they attend board meetings.1880.Church Review, 2 Jan.Guinea pigs… are, for the most part, unattached or roving parsons, who will take any brother cleric’s duty for the moderate remuneration of one guinea.1883.Saturday Review, 25 Aug., p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in the week. Recourse was had in vain to the neighbours, and it was decided at last to telegraph to London for aguinea pig.1884.Echo, 19 May, p. 1, c. 5. Let us apply the principle further, and imagine … limited liability swindlers tried by a jury ofguinea-pigsand company promoters.[230]1884.Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562, c. 3. And theguinea-pig, whose name is on a dozen different Boards, is justly regarded with suspicion.1886.Chambers’s Jour., 24 Apr., p. 258. In order to be considered of any value as Director of a Company, aguinea-pigought to have a handle to his name.1887.Payn,Glow Worm Tales. ‘A Failure of Justice.’ He is best known to the public as aguinea-pig, from his habit of sitting at boards and receiving for it that nominal remuneration, though in his case it stands for a much larger sum.1889.Drage,Cyril, vii. The rector has, as usual, got the gout, and we live under arégime… ofguinea-pigs.1890.Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4. The least attempt to saddle responsibility for misleading statements upon Boards of Directors would drive prudent, ‘respectable’ men out of what is vulgarly called theguinea-pigbusiness.3. (nautical).—Seequot.1840.Marryat,Poor Jack, ch. xxvi. While Bramble was questioned by the captain and passengers, I was attacked by the midshipmen, orguinea-pigsas they are called.Guise’s Geese,subs. phr.(military).—The Sixth Foot or ‘Saucy Sixth.’ [From its Colonel’s name, 1735–63.]Guiver,subs.(theatrical).—(1) Flattery, and (2)artfulness(q.v.). For synonyms,seeSoft Soap.Adj.(common).—Smart; fashionable;on it(q.v.).Guiver lad= a low-class dandy; also anartful member(q.v.).a.1866.Vance,Chickaleary Cove. The stock around my squeeze of aguivercolour see.Verb(sporting).—To humbug;to fool about(q.v.); to show off.1891.Sporting Life, 25 Mar. He goes into a ring tofighthis man, not to spar and look pretty, and run, and dodge, andguiver.Gulf,subs.(old).—1. The throat; also the maw. For synonyms,seeGutter-alley.1579.Spencer,Shephearde’s Calendar, Sept. That with many a lamb had glutted hisgulf.2. (Cambridge Univ.).—The bottom of a list of ‘passes,’ with the names of those who only just succeed in getting their degree.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 205. Some ten or fifteen men just on the line, not bad enough to be plucked, or good enough to be placed, are put into thegulf, as it is popularly called (the examiners’ phrase is ‘degrees allowed’), and have their degrees given them, but are not printed in the calendar.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A man who, going in for honours, only gets a pass.Verb(Cambridge Univ.).—To place in thegulf,subs., sense 2 (q.v.);to be gulfed= to be on such a list. [Men so placed were not eligible for the Classical Tripos].Cf.,PluckandPlough.1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, pt. iii., p. 89. I am not going to let themgulphme a second time.1863.H. Kingsley,Austin Elliot, p. 123. The good Professor scolded, predicted that they would all be eithergulfedor ploughed.1865.Sporting Gaz., 1 Apr. A man who wasgulfedfor mathematical honours was certainly, in olden time, unable to enter for the classical examination; but though the arrangement is altered, the term isnotobsolete. A man who isgulfedis considered to know enough mathematics for an ordinary degree, but not enough to be allowed his degree in mathematics only; he is consequently obliged to pass in all the ordinary subjects (except mathematics) for the ‘poll,’ before taking his degree.[231]1876.Trevelyan,Life of Macaulay(1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos of 1822 made its appearance, his name did not grace the list. In short … Macaulay wasgulfed.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 297. I discovered that my name was nowhere to be found—that I wasgulfed.Gulf-spin,subs.(American cadet).—A rascal; a worthless fellow;a beat(q.v.) ashyster(q.v.).Gull,subs.(old, now recognised).—1. A ninny. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1596.Sir J. Davies,Book of Epigrams. Agullis he who feares a velvet gowne, And when a wench is brave dares not speak to her; Agullis he which traverseth the towne, And is for marriage known a common wooer; Agullis he, which while he proudly weares A silver-hilted rapier by his side. Indures the lye and knockes about the eares, While in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But to define agullin termes precise—Agullis he whichseems, andis not, wise.1598.Florio,A World of Wordes,passim.1609.Jonson,Case is Altered, iv., 3.Jun.Tut, thou art a goose to be Cupid’sgull.1609.Shakspeare,Timon of Athens. Lord Timon will be left a nakedgull. Which flashes now a phœnix.1614.Overbury,Characters. ‘A Roaring Boy.’ He cheats younggulsthat are newly come to town.1618.Rowlands,Night Raven, p. 28 (H. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses where base cheaters vse, And note whatgulls(to worke vpon) they chuse.1661.Brome,Poems, ‘The Cure of Care.’ Thosegullsthat by scraping and toiling.1818.S. E. Ferrier,Marriage, ch. li. The poorgullwas caught, and is now, I really believe, as much in love as it is in the nature of a stupid man to be.1850.D. Jerrold,The Catspaw, Act i. Pshaw! some rascal that lives on simpletons andgulls.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 231. I was a dweller under roofs; thegullof that which we call civilisation.2. (old).—A cheat; a fraud; a trick.1600.Shakspeare,Much Ado about Nothing, ii., 3. I should think this agull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A swindler; a trickster.Cf.,Gull-catcher, of which it is probably an abbreviation.1825.The English Spy, v. I., p. 161. ‘You’ll excuse me, sir, but as you arefresh, take care to avoid thegulls.’ ‘I never understood thatgullswere birds of prey,’ said I. ‘Only in Oxford, sir, and here, I assure you, they bite like hawks.’Verb(old: now recognised).—To cheat; to dupe; to victimise;to take in(q.v.). in any fashion and to any purpose.1596.Jonson,Every Man in his Humour, v. This is a mere trick, a device, you aregulledin this most grossly.1602.Shakspeare,Twelfth Night, ii., 3.Mar.For Monsieur Maluolio, let me alone with him; If I do notgullhim into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not thinke I haue witte enough to lye straight in my bed; I know I can do it.1607.Rowlands,Diogenes, his Lanthorne, p. 11 (H. C. Rept. 1873). He promist me good stuffetruly, a great pennyworthindeed, and verily didgullme.1610.Jonson,Alchemist, v., 2. Hast thougulledher of her jewels or her bracelets?1639.Selden,Table Talk, p. 98 (Arber’s ed.). Presbyters have the greatest power of any Clergy in the world, andgullthe Laity most.1778.Sketches for Tabernacle-Frames, p. 25,note. ThesefanaticalPreachers frequently squeeze out Tears togulltheir Audience.[232]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, I., 472. It’s generally the lower order that hegulls.1892.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, ix. Pay your debts, andgullthe world a little longer.HenceGullible,adj., = easily duped.
To have the grindstone on his back,verb. phr.(common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—Grose.Grinning-stitches,subs.(milliners’).—Slovenly sewing; stitches wide apart;ladders(q.v.).Grip(orGripsack),subs.(American).—A hand-bag or satchell.To lose one’s grip,verb. phr.(American).—To fail; to lose one’s control.Gripe,subs.(old).—1. A miser; a usurer. AlsoGriperorGripe-fist(q.v.). For synonyms,seeHunksandSixty-per-cent.Griping= extortion.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Gripe, orgriper, s.v. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.2.in. pl.(colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; theCollywobbles. For synonyms,seeJerry-go-nimble.1684.Bunyan,Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of thegripes.1705.Char. of a Sneake, inHarl. Misc.(ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms butsemper eademgives him thegripes.1714.Spectator, No 559. Meeting the true father, who came towards him with a fit of thegripes, he begged him to take his son again, and give back his cholic.1812.Coombe,Tour in Search of Picturesque, c. xxvi. That he who daily smokes two pipes, The tooth-ache never has—norgripes.Gripe-fist,subs.(common).—A miser; a grasping broker. For synonyms,seeHunks. AlsoGripe-penny.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grist,subs.(American).—A large number or quantity. [Swift usesgrist= a supply; a provision.]1848.Cooper,Oak Openings. There’s an unaccountablegristof bees, I can tell you.a.1852.Traits of American Humour, i., 305. I … got pretty considerable soaked by agristof rain.To bring grist to the mill,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To bring profitable business; to be a source of profit.1719.Poor Robin’s Almanack, May. Lawyers pleading do refrain A while, and then fall to ’t again; Strife bringsgristunto theirmill.1770.Foote,Lame Lover, i. Well, let them go on, it bringsgrist to our mill.1804.Horsley,Speech, 23 July. A sly old pope created twenty new saints,to bring grist to the millof the London clergy.1817.Scott,Ivanhoe, c. 16. Some three or four dried pease—a miserablegristfor such a mill.[219]1838.Dickens,Nich. Nickleby, ch. xxxiv., p. 268. Meantime the foolsbring grist to my mill.Gristle,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.Grit,subs.(originally American: now colloquial).—1. Character; pluck; spirit;sand(q.v.). Alsoclear grit.No grit= lacking in stamina; wanting in courage.1825.Neal,Bro. Jonathan, bk. II., ch. xiv. A chap who was cleargritfor a tussle, any time.1848.Burton,Waggeries,etc., p. 13. The old folks … began to think that she warn’t theclear grit.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. vi. A real lady—l’air noble—the rael genuinegrit, as Sam Slick says.1852.H. B. Stowe,Uncle Tom’s Cabin, ch. vii.You’re a right brave old girl. I likegrit, wherever I see it.1860.Thackeray,Philip, ch. xxxi. If you were a chip of the old block you would be just what he called thegrit.1889.Referee, 6 Jan. They never did think there was any realgritabout him.1890.Scribner, Feb., 242. ‘Looks like he gotgrit, don’t it?’ Lige muttered.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 249. I am as full ofgritand work as ever, and just tower above our troubles.2. (Canadian political).—A member of the Liberal party.Gritty,adj.(American).—Plucky; courageous; resolute; full of character.1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 106. There never was agrittyercrowd congregated on that stream.Grizzle,verb.(colloquial).—To fret. Alsoto grizzle one’s guts.1872.Miss Braddon,To the Bitter End, ch. xvi. ‘If the locket’s lost, it’s lost,’ she said philosophically; ‘and there’s no use ingrizzlingabout it.’Grizzle-guts(orGrizzle-orGlum-pot).subs.(common).—A melancholy or ill-tempered person; asulkington(q.v.).Groaner,subs.(old).—A thief plying his trade at funerals or religious gatherings.1848.Duncombe,Sinks of London, s.v.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Groaning,subs.(old).—The act of parturition. Also,adj., parturient; or appertaining to parturition: as ingroaning-malt(Scots’) = drink for a lying-in;groaning-pains= the pangs of delivery;groaning-wife= a woman ready to lie-in.1594.Nashe,Unfort. Trav.(Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 92. As smoothe as agroaning-wive’sbellie.1596.Shakspeare,Hamlet, iii., 2. It would cost you agroaningto take off my edge.1786.Burns,The Rantin’ Dog the Daddie O’t. Wha will bring thegroaning-malt?Groats,subs.(nautical).—The chaplain’s monthly allowance.To save one’s groats,verb. phr.(old University).—To come off handsomely. [At the Universities nine groats are deposited in the hands of an academic officer by every person standing for a degree, which, if the depositor obtains, with honour, are returned to him.—Grose.]Grocery,subs.(common).—1. Small change.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.2. (American).—A drinking bar. AlsoConfectioneryandGroggery.1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc. 104. He went into his favouritegrocery.[220]3. (common).—Sugar. [A restricted use of a colloquialism.]1841.Lytton,Night and Morning, Bk. V., ch. ii. A private room and a pint of brandy, my dear. Hot water and lots of thegrocery.Grog,subs.(old: now recognised).—Spirits and water; strong drink generally. [Till Admiral Vernon’s time (1745) rum was served neat, but he ordered it to be diluted, and was therefore nicknamed ‘Old Grog,’ in allusion to his grogram coat: a phrase that was presently adapted to the mixture he had introduced.]Groggy= drunk.Verb.(old).—To dilute or adulterate with water.1878.Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury, 8 Mar. The defendants hadgroggedthe casks by putting in hot water.To have grog on board(orto be grogged),verb. phr.(common).—To be drunk. For synonyms,seeScrewed.1842.Comic Almanack, October. He stands and listens, sad and dogged, To ‘fined five bob’ for beinggrogged.Grog-blossom,subs.(common).—A pimple caused by drinking to excess. AlsoCopper-noseandJolly-nose. Fr.,un nez culottéandun nez de pompettes.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum,Grog-blossom, s.v.1883.Thos. Hardy,The Three Strangers, inLongman’s Mag., March, p. 576. A fewgrog-blossomsmarked the neighbourhood of his nose.1888.W. Besant,Fifty Years Ago, ch. xi., p. 169. The outward and visible signs of rum were indeed various. First, there was the red and swollen nose, next, the nose beautifully painted withgrog-blossoms.Grog-fight,subs.(military).—A drinking party.Cf.,Tea-fight.1876.R. M. Jephson,Girl he Left Behind Him, ch. 1. He had been having agrog-fightin his room to celebrate the event.Groggery,subs.(American).—A public bar; a grog-shop.Groggy,adj.(colloquial).—1. Under the influence of drink. For synonyms,seeDrinksandScrewed.1829.Buckstone,Billy Taylor. i., as a gay young woman, will delude Taylor away from Mary, make himgroggy, then press him off to sea.1863.Fun, 23 May, p. 98, c. 2. They fined drunkards and swearers, and there is a record in the parish-books, among others of a similar nature, of a certain Mrs. Thunder who was fined twelve shillings for being, like Mr. Cruikshank’s horse at the Brighton Review, decidedlygroggy.1872.Echo, 30 July. A model of perfection had she not shown more than necessary partiality to her elder friend’s brandy bottle during the journey, despite the latter’s oft-repeated caution not to becomegroggy.2. (colloquial).—Staggering or stupified with drink. Also (stable) moving as with tender feet. Also (pugilists’) unsteady from punishment and exhaustion. Fr.,locher= to begroggy.1831.Youatt,The Horse, ch. xvi., p. 380. Long journeys at a fast pace will make almost any horsegroggy.1846–8.Thackeray,Vanity Fair, vol. ii., ch. v. Cuff coming up full of pluck, but quite reeling andgroggy, the Fig-merchant put in his left as usual on his adversary’s nose, and sent him down for the last time.1853.Diogenes, vol. ii., p. 177. The anxiety is not confined to the metropolis; as a respectable grazier, who rides agroggyhorse, on hearing of it at a public-house the other day, affirmed it to be the mysterious cause of the rise in the value of horseflesh.1888.Sportsman, 28 Nov. In the tenth Thompson, who had been growinggroggy, to the surprise of Evans began to force the fighting.[221]Grogham,subs.(old).—A horse; adaisy-kicker(q.v.). Now mostly in contempt. For synonyms,seePrad.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grog-shop,subs.(common).—The mouth. For synonyms,seePotatoe-trap.1843.Thackeray,Men’s Wives,Frank Berry, ch. i. Claret drawn in profusion from the gown-boy’sgrog-shop.Grog-tub,subs.(nautical).—A brandy bottle.Groom,subs.(gamesters’).—A croupier.Groomed.SeeWell-groomed.Groovy,subs.(American).—A sardine.Adj.(popular).—Settled in habit; limited in mind.Grope,verb. (venery).—To feel a woman; to fumble; tofam(q.v.).1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Mariolement.Gropingof a wench.1719.Durfey,Pills, etc., i., 194. Smoking, toping, Landladygroping.Groper,subs.(old).—1. A blind man;hoodman(q.v.).1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.2. (old).—A pocket. For synonyms,seeBrighandSky-rocket.1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 143.Gropers.Pockets.3. (old).—A midwife; afingersmith(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grotto,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Ground.To suit down to the ground,verb. phr.(common).—To be thoroughly becoming or acceptable.1878.M. E. Braddon,Cloven Foot, ch. xlv. Some sea coast city in South America wouldsuit me down to the ground.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 9 Feb. I knows the very bloke that’llsuit you down to the ground.1891.Sporting Life, 28 Mar. At Knowle he issuited down to the ground.1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. ii. Theysuit me right down to the ground.To wipe(ormop)up the ground(orfloor)with one,verb. phr.(common).—To administer the very soundest thrashing; to prove oneself absolutely superior to one’s opposite.1887.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, i., 3. Muck! that’s my opinion of him; … I’llmop the floor up with himany day, if so be as you or any on ’em ’ll make it worth my while.1888.Detroit Free Press, Aug. The Scroggin boy was as tough as a dogwood knot. He’dwipe up the ground with him; he’d walk all over him.To go(orget)well to the ground,verb. phr.(old colloquial).—To defæcate;to rear(q.v.). For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.1608.Middleton,Family of Love, v. 3. Do yougo well to the ground?1856.Notes and Queries, 2 S., i., p. 324.To get to the ground, in medical phraseology, means to have the bowels opened.[222]Grounder,subs.(cricketers’).—A ball with a ground delivery; asneak; agrub; and (in America) at base-ball, a ball struck low, or flying near the ground.Ground-floor.To be let in on the Ground-floor,verb. phr.(American).—To share in a speculation on equal terms with the original promoters.Ground-squirrel,subs.(old).—A hog; agrunter—Lex. Bal.For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.Ground-sweat.To have(ortake)a ground-sweat,verb. phr.(old).—To be buried.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Ground sweat, s.v., a grave.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Grouse.To do a grouse(orto go grousing),verb. phr.(venery).—To quest, or to run down, a woman;to molrow(q.v.).Groused=Molled(q.v.).Grouser,subs.(popular).—1. A grumbler. For synonyms,seeRusty-guts.2. (venery).—One who goes questing after women; amolrower(q.v.).3. (sporting).—A rowing man; awet-bob(q.v.).Grousing,subs.(venery).—Going in quest of women;sparrow-catching(q.v.);molrowing(q.v.).Groute,verb. (Marlborough and Cheltenham Colleges).—To work or study hard; toswot(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWire In.Grouty,adj.(common).—Crabbed; sulky.Grove of Eglantine,subs. phr.(venery).—The femalepudendum; also the female pubic hair. For synonyms,seeMonosyllableandFleece.1772.Carew,Poems. ‘A Rapture.’ Retire into thyGrove of Eglantine.Grove of the Evangelist,subs. phr.(common).—St. John’s Wood; alsoApostle’s Grove, and theBaptist’s Wood.Grow,verb. (prison).—To be accorded the privilege of letting one’s hair and beard grow. Alsoto grow one’s feathers.Growler,subs.(common).—A four-wheeled cab.Cf.,Sulky.English Synonyms.—Bird-cage; blucher; bounder; fever-trap; flounder-and-dab (rhyming); four-wheeler; groping hutch; mab (an old hackney); rattler; rumbler.French Synonyms.—Un bordel ambulant(common = a walking brothel);un char numèroté(popular);un flatar(thieves’);un foutoir ambulant(= a fuckery on wheels);un mylord(popular).1870.Orchestra, 21 Mar. A recent enigmatical bill-poster on the walls, with the device ‘Hie, Cabby, Hie!’ turns out to be a Patent Cab Call—an ingenious sort of lamp-signal for remote hansoms andgrowlers.1873.Land and Water, 25 Jan. The knacker’s yard is baulked for a time, while the quadruped shambles along in some poverty-strickengrowler.[223]1883.Daily Telegraph, 8 Jan., p. 5, c. 3. But while a great improvement has been made in hansoms of late years, the four-wheeler orgrowleris still as a rule a disgrace to the metropolis.1890.Daily Graphic, 7 Jan., p. 14, c. 1. What with hansom cabs andgrowlersand private broughams; what with bonded carmen’s towering waggons.1891.Globe, 15 July, p. 1, c. 3. Adapting the words of Waller to the condition of many of ourgrowlers—The cab’s dull framework, battered and decayed, Lets in the air through gaps that time has made.To rush(orwork)the growler,verb. phr.(American workmen’s).—Seequot. [Growler= pitcher.]1888.New York Herald, 29 July. One evil of which the inspectors took particular notice was that of the employment by hands in a number of factories of boys and girls, under ten and thirteen years, to fetch beer for them, or in other wordsto rush the growler.Grown-man’s-dose,subs.(common).—A lot of liquor. Also along drink(q.v.). For synonyms,seeGo.Grown-up,subs.(colloquial).—An adult: among undertakers, agrown.1864.Dickens,Our Mutual Friend, Bk. ii., ch. 1. I always did likegrown ups.Grub,subs.(vulgar).—1. Food.English Synonyms.—Belly-cheer (or chere); belly-furniture; belly-timber; Kaffir’s tightener (specifically, a full meal); chuck; corn; gorge-grease; manablins (= broken victuals); mouth harness; mungarly; peck; prog; scoff (S. African); scran; stodge; tack; tommy (specifically, bread); tuck; yam. Also, verbally, to bung the cask; to grease the gills; to have the run of one’s teeth; to yam.SeealsoWolf.French Synonyms.—La becquetance(popular = peck);le biffre(popular);la frigousse(popular);la fripe(popular, from O. Fr.,fripper= to eat);la gringue(common);les matériaux(freemason’s = materials);la briffe(popular);la boustifaille(popular);le harnois de gueule(Rabelais: = mouth-harness);le coton(popular, an allusion to a lamp-wick);les comestaux(popular = comestibles);le tortorage(thieves’);la broute(popular = grazing);la morfe(O. Fr. Also, in a verbal sense = to feed);tortiller du bec(popular = to wag a jaw);se calfater le bec(nautical: also = to drink);becqueter(popular = to ‘peck’);béquiller(popular);chiquer(popular = to ‘chaw’);bouffer(popular);boulotter(common);taper sur les vivres(popular = to assault the eatables);pitancher(common: also = to drink);passer à la tortore(thieves’);se l’envoyer;casser la croustille(thieves’ = to crack a crust);tortorer(thieves’);briffer;passer à briffe(popular);brouter(Villon= to browse);se caler, orse caler les amygdales(popular);mettre de l’huile dans la lampe(common = to trim the lamp);se coller quelque chose dans le fanal,dans le fusil, ordans le tube(popular = to trim one’s beacon-light; to load one’s gun, etc.);chamailler des dents(popular = to ‘go it’ with the ivories);jouer des badigoinces(common:badigoinces= chaps);jouer des dominos(popular:dominos= teeth);déchirer la cartouche(military);gobichonner(popular);engouler(popular = to bolt);engueuler(colloquial = to gobble);friturer(popular: also = to cook);gonfler(popular: to blow out);morfiaillier(Rabelaisian);morfigner,[224]ormorfiler(From O. Fr.,morfier;cf., Ital.,morfireormorfizzare);cacher(popular = to stow away);se mettre quelque chose dans le cadavre(popular = to stoke);se lester la cale(nautical: to lay in ballast);se graisser les balots(thieves’: to grease the gills);se caresser(to do oneself a good turn);effacer(popular = to put away);travailler pour M. Domange(popular: M. Domange was a famousgoldfinderorgong farmer[q.v.]);clapoter(popular);debrider la margoulette(popular = to put one’s nose in the manger);croustiller(popular);charger pour la guadaloupe(popular);travailler pour Jules(common:Jules= Mrs. Jones);se faire le jabot(popular,jabot= stomach);jouer des osanores(popular:osanores= teeth);casser(thieves’);claquer(familiar = to rattle one’s ivories);klebjer(popular);faire trimer les mathurins(popular = to make the running with one’s teeth);se coller quelque chose dans le bocal(common:bocal= paunch);estropier(popular = to maim);passer à galtos(nautical);bourrer la paillasse(common = to stuff the mattress);faire trimer le battant(thieves’);jouer des mandibules(popular);s’emplir le gilet(popular = to fill one’s waistcoat);se garnir le bocal(popular: to furnish one’s paunch);se suiver la gargarousse(nautical: also = to drink);babouiner(popular);charger la canonnière(popular:canonnière= the breech);gousser(popular);gouffier(obsolete).German Synonyms.—Achile,Achelinchen, orAcheliniken(from Heb.Ochal);Achelputz(from Heb.ochal+putzenfrom O.H.G.bizanorpizzan= to eat).Italian Synonyms.—Artibrio; and, verbally,sbattere(= to beat, to struggle);intappare il fusto(= to bung the cask);smorfire.Spanish Synonyms.—Papar(colloquial: frompapa= pap);hacer el buche(low:buche= craw or crop);echar(colloquial);manducar;meter.1659.Dialogue betwixt an Exciseman and Death, transcribed from a Copy in British Museum, printed in London by J. C[lark]. I’ll pass my word this night Shall yield usgrubbefore the morning light.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., victuals.1781.G. Parker,View of Society, I., 171. How did you procure yourgrubandBub?1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 149.Bub and Grub. A mighty low expression, signifying victuals and drink.1836.M. Scott,Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. iii. Poor Purser! de people call him Purser, sir, because him knowing chap; him cabbage all degrub, slush, and stuff in him own corner.d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. Any bubby andgrub, I say?1857.Thackeray,Shabby Genteel Story, ch. i., p. 9. He used to … have hisgrubtoo on board.1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. i., p. 45. I at once congratulated myself on not being a large eater, as there was no doubt but mygrubwould runveryshort if it depended on my oakum-picking.1889.Star, 3 Dec., p. 2, c. 6. Of course it wasgrub. It was for food, the food for which they beg, and steal, and go willingly to prison, for a certain good square meal of meat.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 154. That sad, sad secret about Mary would keep him ingrubfor the next day or two at ‘The Rose in Bloom.’2. (old).—A short thick-set man; a dwarf. In contempt. For synonyms,seeHop-o’-my-Thumb.[225]3. (colloquial).—A dirty sloven; generally used of elderly people.4. (American).—A careful student; a hard reader.1856.Hall,College Words and Phrases, quoted fromWilliams’ Coll. Quarterly, ii., 246. A hard reader or student:e.g., notgrubsor reading men, only wordy men.5. (American).—Roots and stumps; whatever is ‘grubbed up.’6. (cricketers’).—A ball delivered along the ground; agrounder(q.v.); adaisy-cutter(q.v.). For synonyms,seeLob-sneak.1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.Grub, s.v.Verb.(old).—1. To take or supply with food. For synonyms,seesubs.sense 1.1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., to eat.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grub, s.v., to dine.1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xxii., p. 184. I never see such a chap to eat and drink; never. The red-nosed man warn’t by no means the sort of person you’d like togrubby contract, but he was nothin’ to the shepherd.1883.Daily Telegraph, 18 May, p. 3, c. 1. ‘They are not bound togrubyou, don’t you know,’ said Mr. Sleasey, ‘and they try the starving dodge on you sometimes.’2. (old).—To beg; to ask for alms, especially food.3. (American).—To study, or read hard; to ‘sweat.’To ride grub,verb. phr.(old).—To be sulky;crusty(q.v.); disagreeable.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue. Toride grub, to be sullen or out of temper.To grub along,verb. phr.(common).—To make one’s way as best one can; ‘to rub along.’1888.Daily Telegraph, 19 Oct. When a youth left school to follow the pursuits of life he found that he had togrub alongas best he could.Grubbing,subs.(common).—Eating.1819.Moore,Tom Crib. What with snoozing, highgrubbing, and guzzling like Cloe.Grubbery,subs.(common).—(1) an eating-house. Also (2) a dining-room, and (3) the mouth.Grubbing-crib,subs.(general).—1. An eating-house.Grubbing-crib faker= the landlord of a cheap cookshop. Fr.,le nourrisseur; Sp.,un ostalero.SeeGrub Shop, sense 2.English Synonyms.—Grubbery; grubby-, or grubbing-ken; grub-shop; guttle-shop; hash-house; mungarly casa; prog-shop; slap-bang shop; tuck-shop; waste-butt.French Synonyms.—Un bourre-boyaux(popular = a stuff-your-guts);un claquedents(popular, also = a brothel, or punting-house);une guingette(general);une mangeoire(popular = a grubbery:manger= to eat);un mattais(popular);un gargot(thieves’).German Synonym.—Achilebajes(from Heb.,Ochal= to eat).Spanish Synonym.—Ostaleria, orOsteria(also = lush-crib).1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf, s.v.2. (tramps’).—A workhouse. For synonyms,seeSpinniken. SometimesGrubbiken.[226]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the good houses, and the tidygrubbikens—that’s the unions where there’s little or nothing to do for the food we gets.Grubble,verb. (colloquial).—(1) To feel for at random or in the dark; and (2) (venery)to grope(q.v.).1684.Dryden,The Disappointment. ‘Prologue.’ The doughty bullies enter bloody drunk, Invade andgrubbleone another’s punk.Grubby,subs.(thieves’).—Food. [A diminutive ofGrub(q.v.).]d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol lol, etc. Ay, bub orgrubby, I say.Adj.(colloquial).—Dirty; slovenly.d.1845.Hood,A Black Job. Like agrubbylot of sooty sweeps or colliers.Grub-hunting,subs.(tramps’).—Begging for food.Grub-shite,verb. (old).—To make foul or dirty; to bewray.—Grose.Grub-shop, (or-crib,-trap, etc.),subs.(common).—1. The mouth; and (2) agrubbery(q.v.). For synonyms,seePotato-trap.1840.Thackeray,Comic Almanack, p. 229. ‘That’s thegrub shop,’ said my lord, ‘where we young gentlemen wot has money buys our wittles.’3.SeeGrubbing-cribin both senses.Grub-stake,subs.(American).—Food and other necessaries furnished to mining prospectors in return for a share in the ‘finds.’ Hence, togrub-stake= to speculate after this fashion.1884.Butterworth,Zig-zag Journeys. When miners become so poor that they are not able to furnish the necessary tools and food with which to ‘go prospecting’, a third party of sufficient means offers to furnish tools and provisions on condition that he is to have a certain interest in anything that may be found.1891.Gunter,Miss Nobody of Nowhere, p. 100. Hegrub-stakedus and we used to work on the Tillie mine together.Grub-street,subs.(colloquial).—The world of cheap, mean, needy authors. [Originally a street near Moorfields, changed in 1830 to Milton Street.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Grub-streetnews, false, forg’d.1728.Pope,Dunciad, iii., 135. Shall take throughgrub-streethis triumphant round.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. AGrub-streetwriter means a hackney author, who manufactures books for the booksellers.1813. J. and H.Smith,Horace in London, ‘The Classic Villa.’Grub-street, ’tis called.1821.Egan,Life in London, i. Few, if any, writers, out of the great mass of living scribblers, whether ofGrub-Streetfabrication, or of University passport … possess souls above buttons.1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 119. We are going it, have got our agents inGrub Street.Gruel,subs.(common).—1. A beating;punishment(q.v.). For synonyms,seeTanning. Hence,to get(orgive)one’s gruel= to castigate, or be well beaten; also killed. In the prize ring = to knock a man out for good.Gruelled= floored; alsoGruelling.1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxviii. He gathered in general, that they expressed great indignation against some individual. ‘He shall have hisgruel,’ said one.1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends. ‘Babes in the Wood.’ He that was mildest in moodgave thetruculent rascalhis gruel.1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. xii. They were as wellgruelledas so many posters, before they got to the stile.[227]1888.Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Preferred to be easily knocked out totaking his gruellike a man.1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 23 Jan. Both men were badly punished, but George had, of course, the lion’s share of thegruel.1891.Licensed Vict. Mirror, 30 Jan., p. 7, c. 3. All the advantage rested with the same side for some little time, Paddock getting such agruellingthat his head swelled out like a pumpkin.2. (American thieves’).—Coffee.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.Grueller,subs.(common).—A knock-down blow; a settler; afloorer(q.v.).Grumble-guts,subs.(popular).—An inveterate croaker. AlsoGrumble-gizzard.Grumbles.To be all on the grumbles,verb. phr.(popular).—To be discontented; cross;on the snarly-yow(q.v.).Grumbletonian,subs.(common).—A pattern of discontent: one ever on the grumble. [Grumbleton (during the reigns of the later Stuarts) = an imaginary centre of discontent; hence,Grumbletonian, a nickname of the County party, distinguished from the Court, as being in opposition.]1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grumbletonians, malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.1705–7.Ward,Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. 1, p. 24 (2nd Ed.). But all thegrumbletonianthrong Did with such violence rush along.1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, Act 1. Now, if I pleased, I could be so revenged upon the oldgrumbletonian.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grumbletonian, s.v., a discontented person.1849–61.Macaulay,Hist. of Eng., ch. xix. Who were sometimes nicknamed thegrumbletonians, and sometimes honoured with the appellation of the County party.Grummet,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.Grumpy(orGrumpish),adj.(colloquial).—Surly; cross; angry.1840.Mrs. Trollope,Michael Armstrong, ch. vi. If you blubber or lookgrumpish.1859.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, 3 a.m., par. 13. Calling you a ‘cross,grumpy, old thing,’ when you mildly suggest that it is very near bed-time.1868.Miss Braddon,Trail of the Serpent, bk. IV., ch. i. Agrumpyold deaf keeper, and a boy, his assistant.1883.Punch, 19 May, p. 230, c. 2. They all lookedgrumpyand down in the mouth.Grundy,subs.(old).—A short fat man; aforty-guts(q.v.).—SeeMrs. Grundy.1563.Fox,Acts and Monuments(London, 1844), iii., 1104. For that he being a shortgrundy, and of little stature, did ride commonly with a great broad hat.Grunter,subs.(old).—1. A pig; agrunting-cheat(q.v.). In quot. 1652 = pork. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1656.Brome,Jovial Crew. Here’sgrunterand bleater, with tib-of-the-buttry.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grunter, s.v. A sucking pig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grunter, s.v.1841.Comic Almanack, p. 266. And the squeakinggrunteris loose on the green.1847–50.Tennyson,Princess, v. 26. A draggled mawkin, That tends her bristledgruntersin the sludge.[228]2. (common).—A sixpence. In quot. 1785 = 1s.Cf.,HogandPig.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Grunter, s.v. A shilling.1858.A. Mayhew,Paved with Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 267. One of the men … had only taken three ‘twelvers’ [shillings] and agrunter.1885.Household Words, 20 June. p. 155. The sixpence … is variously known as a ‘pig,’ a ‘sow’s baby,’ agrunter, and ‘half a hog.’3. (common).—A policeman; atrap(q.v.); apig(q.v.sense 2). For synonyms,seeBeak.1820.London Magazine, i., 26. As a bonnet against …grunters.1859.Matsell,Vocabulum.Grunter, s.v., a country constable.4. (tailors’).—An habitual grumbler; agrumble-guts(q.v.)Grunter’s-gig,subs.(old).—A smoked pig’s chap.—Grose.Grunting-cheat,subs.(old).—A pig.SeeChete. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.1567.Harman,Caveat, p. 86. She has a cackling-chete, agrunting-chete, ruff pecke, cassan, and poplarr of yarum.1622.Fletcher,Beggars Bush, v., 1. Or surprising a boor’s ken forgrunting-cheats? Or cackling-cheats?Grunting-peck,subs.(old).—Pork or bacon.1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew,Grunting-peck, s.v., pork.1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.1836.Smith,Individual. ‘The Thieves’ Chaunt.’ But dearer to me Sue’s kisses far Thangrunting peckor other grub are.Gruts,subs.(common).—Tea; For synonyms,seeScandal-broth.1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.G. T. T.Gone to Texas,phr.(American).—Absconded. [Moonshining gentry used to mark G. T. T. on the doors of their abandoned dwellings as a consolation for inquiring creditors.] Fr.,aller en Belgique. For synonyms,seeSwartwort.1835.Haliburton,Clockmaker, 5 S., ch. viii. Before this misfortin’ came I used to do a considerable smart chance of business; but now it’s time for me to cut dirt, and leave the country. I believe I must hang out the G. T. T. sign.—‘Why, what the plague is that?’ says I. ‘Gone to Texas,’ said he.Guage.—SeeGage.Gubbins,subs.(old).—Fish-offal.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.Gudgeon,subs.(old).—1. A bait; an allurement. Hence,To gudgeon(orto swallow a gudgeon) = to be extremely credulous or gullible.1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 1. But fish not with this melancholy bait, For this fool’sgudgeon, this opinion.1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes,Bersela, s.v. To swallow agudgeon… to believe any tale.1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Gudgeon, s.v. To swallow the bait, or fall into a trap, from the fish of that name which is easily taken.1892.National Observer, 23 July, vii., 235. It has educated Hodge into an increased readiness to gorge anygudgeonthat may be offered him.2. (colloquial).—An easy dupe; abuffle(q.v.).1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Guerrilla,subs.(American sharpers’).—Seequot.[229]1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v. This name is applied by gamblers to fellows who skin suckers when and where they can, who do not like the professional gamblers, but try to beat them, sometimes inform on them, and tell the suckers that they have been cheated.Guff,subs.(common).—Humbug; bluff; jabber. For synonyms,seeGammon.1889.Sportsman, 19 Jan. Hereafter he can have the newspapers to himself, and with that windbag Mitchell fill them withguffand nonsense, but I won’t notice them.Guffy,subs.(nautical).—A soldier. For synonyms,seeMudcrusher.Guiders,subs.(general).—1. Reins;ribbons(q.v.).2. (common).—Sinews;leaders(q.v.).Guinea.A guinea to a gooseberry,phr.(sporting).—Long odds.SeeLombard Street to a China Orange.1884.Hawley Smart,Post to Finish, ch. vli. What! old Writson against Sam Pearson? Why, it’s aguinea to a gooseberryon Sam!Guinea-dropper,subs.(old).—A sharper. Specifically one who let drop counterfeit guineas in collusion with agold-finder(q.v.). For synonyms,seeRook.1712,Gay,Trivia, iii., 249. Who now theguinea dropper’sbait regards, Tricked by the sharper’s dice or juggler’s cards.Guinea-hen,subs.(old).—A courtezan. For synonyms,seeBarrack-hackandTart.1602.Shakspeare,Othello, i., 3. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of aguinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.1630.Glapthorne,Albertus Wallenstein. Yonder’s the cock o’ the game About to tread yonguinea-hen, they’re billing.Guinea-pig,subs.(old).—1. A general term of reproach.1748.Smollett,Roderick Random, xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever stepp’d on forecastle—none of yourguinea-pigs,—nor your freshwater, wishy-washy, fair-weather fowls.2. (old).—Any one whose nominal fee for professional services is a guinea: as vets., special jurymen, etc. Now mainly restricted to clergymen acting as deputies, and (in contempt) to directors of public companies. HenceGuinea-trade= professional services of any kind.1821.Coombe,Dr. Syntax, Tour III., c. iv. ‘Oh, oh,’ cried Pat, ‘how my hand itches, Thouguinea-pig[a ‘vet.’], in boots and breeches, to trounce thee well.’1871.Temple Bar, vol. xxxi., p. 320. A much more significant term is that ofguinea pigs, the pleasant name for those gentlemen of more rank than means, who hire themselves out as directors of public companies, and who have a guinea and a copious lunch when they attend board meetings.1880.Church Review, 2 Jan.Guinea pigs… are, for the most part, unattached or roving parsons, who will take any brother cleric’s duty for the moderate remuneration of one guinea.1883.Saturday Review, 25 Aug., p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in the week. Recourse was had in vain to the neighbours, and it was decided at last to telegraph to London for aguinea pig.1884.Echo, 19 May, p. 1, c. 5. Let us apply the principle further, and imagine … limited liability swindlers tried by a jury ofguinea-pigsand company promoters.[230]1884.Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562, c. 3. And theguinea-pig, whose name is on a dozen different Boards, is justly regarded with suspicion.1886.Chambers’s Jour., 24 Apr., p. 258. In order to be considered of any value as Director of a Company, aguinea-pigought to have a handle to his name.1887.Payn,Glow Worm Tales. ‘A Failure of Justice.’ He is best known to the public as aguinea-pig, from his habit of sitting at boards and receiving for it that nominal remuneration, though in his case it stands for a much larger sum.1889.Drage,Cyril, vii. The rector has, as usual, got the gout, and we live under arégime… ofguinea-pigs.1890.Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4. The least attempt to saddle responsibility for misleading statements upon Boards of Directors would drive prudent, ‘respectable’ men out of what is vulgarly called theguinea-pigbusiness.3. (nautical).—Seequot.1840.Marryat,Poor Jack, ch. xxvi. While Bramble was questioned by the captain and passengers, I was attacked by the midshipmen, orguinea-pigsas they are called.Guise’s Geese,subs. phr.(military).—The Sixth Foot or ‘Saucy Sixth.’ [From its Colonel’s name, 1735–63.]Guiver,subs.(theatrical).—(1) Flattery, and (2)artfulness(q.v.). For synonyms,seeSoft Soap.Adj.(common).—Smart; fashionable;on it(q.v.).Guiver lad= a low-class dandy; also anartful member(q.v.).a.1866.Vance,Chickaleary Cove. The stock around my squeeze of aguivercolour see.Verb(sporting).—To humbug;to fool about(q.v.); to show off.1891.Sporting Life, 25 Mar. He goes into a ring tofighthis man, not to spar and look pretty, and run, and dodge, andguiver.Gulf,subs.(old).—1. The throat; also the maw. For synonyms,seeGutter-alley.1579.Spencer,Shephearde’s Calendar, Sept. That with many a lamb had glutted hisgulf.2. (Cambridge Univ.).—The bottom of a list of ‘passes,’ with the names of those who only just succeed in getting their degree.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 205. Some ten or fifteen men just on the line, not bad enough to be plucked, or good enough to be placed, are put into thegulf, as it is popularly called (the examiners’ phrase is ‘degrees allowed’), and have their degrees given them, but are not printed in the calendar.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A man who, going in for honours, only gets a pass.Verb(Cambridge Univ.).—To place in thegulf,subs., sense 2 (q.v.);to be gulfed= to be on such a list. [Men so placed were not eligible for the Classical Tripos].Cf.,PluckandPlough.1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, pt. iii., p. 89. I am not going to let themgulphme a second time.1863.H. Kingsley,Austin Elliot, p. 123. The good Professor scolded, predicted that they would all be eithergulfedor ploughed.1865.Sporting Gaz., 1 Apr. A man who wasgulfedfor mathematical honours was certainly, in olden time, unable to enter for the classical examination; but though the arrangement is altered, the term isnotobsolete. A man who isgulfedis considered to know enough mathematics for an ordinary degree, but not enough to be allowed his degree in mathematics only; he is consequently obliged to pass in all the ordinary subjects (except mathematics) for the ‘poll,’ before taking his degree.[231]1876.Trevelyan,Life of Macaulay(1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos of 1822 made its appearance, his name did not grace the list. In short … Macaulay wasgulfed.1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 297. I discovered that my name was nowhere to be found—that I wasgulfed.Gulf-spin,subs.(American cadet).—A rascal; a worthless fellow;a beat(q.v.) ashyster(q.v.).Gull,subs.(old, now recognised).—1. A ninny. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.1596.Sir J. Davies,Book of Epigrams. Agullis he who feares a velvet gowne, And when a wench is brave dares not speak to her; Agullis he which traverseth the towne, And is for marriage known a common wooer; Agullis he, which while he proudly weares A silver-hilted rapier by his side. Indures the lye and knockes about the eares, While in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But to define agullin termes precise—Agullis he whichseems, andis not, wise.1598.Florio,A World of Wordes,passim.1609.Jonson,Case is Altered, iv., 3.Jun.Tut, thou art a goose to be Cupid’sgull.1609.Shakspeare,Timon of Athens. Lord Timon will be left a nakedgull. Which flashes now a phœnix.1614.Overbury,Characters. ‘A Roaring Boy.’ He cheats younggulsthat are newly come to town.1618.Rowlands,Night Raven, p. 28 (H. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses where base cheaters vse, And note whatgulls(to worke vpon) they chuse.1661.Brome,Poems, ‘The Cure of Care.’ Thosegullsthat by scraping and toiling.1818.S. E. Ferrier,Marriage, ch. li. The poorgullwas caught, and is now, I really believe, as much in love as it is in the nature of a stupid man to be.1850.D. Jerrold,The Catspaw, Act i. Pshaw! some rascal that lives on simpletons andgulls.1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 231. I was a dweller under roofs; thegullof that which we call civilisation.2. (old).—A cheat; a fraud; a trick.1600.Shakspeare,Much Ado about Nothing, ii., 3. I should think this agull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it.1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.3. (Oxford Univ.).—A swindler; a trickster.Cf.,Gull-catcher, of which it is probably an abbreviation.1825.The English Spy, v. I., p. 161. ‘You’ll excuse me, sir, but as you arefresh, take care to avoid thegulls.’ ‘I never understood thatgullswere birds of prey,’ said I. ‘Only in Oxford, sir, and here, I assure you, they bite like hawks.’Verb(old: now recognised).—To cheat; to dupe; to victimise;to take in(q.v.). in any fashion and to any purpose.1596.Jonson,Every Man in his Humour, v. This is a mere trick, a device, you aregulledin this most grossly.1602.Shakspeare,Twelfth Night, ii., 3.Mar.For Monsieur Maluolio, let me alone with him; If I do notgullhim into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not thinke I haue witte enough to lye straight in my bed; I know I can do it.1607.Rowlands,Diogenes, his Lanthorne, p. 11 (H. C. Rept. 1873). He promist me good stuffetruly, a great pennyworthindeed, and verily didgullme.1610.Jonson,Alchemist, v., 2. Hast thougulledher of her jewels or her bracelets?1639.Selden,Table Talk, p. 98 (Arber’s ed.). Presbyters have the greatest power of any Clergy in the world, andgullthe Laity most.1778.Sketches for Tabernacle-Frames, p. 25,note. ThesefanaticalPreachers frequently squeeze out Tears togulltheir Audience.[232]1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, I., 472. It’s generally the lower order that hegulls.1892.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, ix. Pay your debts, andgullthe world a little longer.HenceGullible,adj., = easily duped.
To have the grindstone on his back,verb. phr.(common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—Grose.
Grinning-stitches,subs.(milliners’).—Slovenly sewing; stitches wide apart;ladders(q.v.).
Grip(orGripsack),subs.(American).—A hand-bag or satchell.
To lose one’s grip,verb. phr.(American).—To fail; to lose one’s control.
Gripe,subs.(old).—1. A miser; a usurer. AlsoGriperorGripe-fist(q.v.). For synonyms,seeHunksandSixty-per-cent.Griping= extortion.
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Gripe, orgriper, s.v. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.
2.in. pl.(colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; theCollywobbles. For synonyms,seeJerry-go-nimble.
1684.Bunyan,Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of thegripes.
1705.Char. of a Sneake, inHarl. Misc.(ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms butsemper eademgives him thegripes.
1714.Spectator, No 559. Meeting the true father, who came towards him with a fit of thegripes, he begged him to take his son again, and give back his cholic.
1812.Coombe,Tour in Search of Picturesque, c. xxvi. That he who daily smokes two pipes, The tooth-ache never has—norgripes.
Gripe-fist,subs.(common).—A miser; a grasping broker. For synonyms,seeHunks. AlsoGripe-penny.
1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.
Grist,subs.(American).—A large number or quantity. [Swift usesgrist= a supply; a provision.]
1848.Cooper,Oak Openings. There’s an unaccountablegristof bees, I can tell you.
a.1852.Traits of American Humour, i., 305. I … got pretty considerable soaked by agristof rain.
To bring grist to the mill,verb. phr.(colloquial).—To bring profitable business; to be a source of profit.
1719.Poor Robin’s Almanack, May. Lawyers pleading do refrain A while, and then fall to ’t again; Strife bringsgristunto theirmill.
1770.Foote,Lame Lover, i. Well, let them go on, it bringsgrist to our mill.
1804.Horsley,Speech, 23 July. A sly old pope created twenty new saints,to bring grist to the millof the London clergy.
1817.Scott,Ivanhoe, c. 16. Some three or four dried pease—a miserablegristfor such a mill.[219]
1838.Dickens,Nich. Nickleby, ch. xxxiv., p. 268. Meantime the foolsbring grist to my mill.
Gristle,subs.(venery).—Thepenis. For synonyms,seeCreamstickandPrick.
Grit,subs.(originally American: now colloquial).—1. Character; pluck; spirit;sand(q.v.). Alsoclear grit.No grit= lacking in stamina; wanting in courage.
1825.Neal,Bro. Jonathan, bk. II., ch. xiv. A chap who was cleargritfor a tussle, any time.
1848.Burton,Waggeries,etc., p. 13. The old folks … began to think that she warn’t theclear grit.
1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. vi. A real lady—l’air noble—the rael genuinegrit, as Sam Slick says.
1852.H. B. Stowe,Uncle Tom’s Cabin, ch. vii.You’re a right brave old girl. I likegrit, wherever I see it.
1860.Thackeray,Philip, ch. xxxi. If you were a chip of the old block you would be just what he called thegrit.
1889.Referee, 6 Jan. They never did think there was any realgritabout him.
1890.Scribner, Feb., 242. ‘Looks like he gotgrit, don’t it?’ Lige muttered.
1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 249. I am as full ofgritand work as ever, and just tower above our troubles.
2. (Canadian political).—A member of the Liberal party.
Gritty,adj.(American).—Plucky; courageous; resolute; full of character.
1847.Robb,Squatter Life, p. 106. There never was agrittyercrowd congregated on that stream.
Grizzle,verb.(colloquial).—To fret. Alsoto grizzle one’s guts.
1872.Miss Braddon,To the Bitter End, ch. xvi. ‘If the locket’s lost, it’s lost,’ she said philosophically; ‘and there’s no use ingrizzlingabout it.’
Grizzle-guts(orGrizzle-orGlum-pot).subs.(common).—A melancholy or ill-tempered person; asulkington(q.v.).
Groaner,subs.(old).—A thief plying his trade at funerals or religious gatherings.
1848.Duncombe,Sinks of London, s.v.
1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.
Groaning,subs.(old).—The act of parturition. Also,adj., parturient; or appertaining to parturition: as ingroaning-malt(Scots’) = drink for a lying-in;groaning-pains= the pangs of delivery;groaning-wife= a woman ready to lie-in.
1594.Nashe,Unfort. Trav.(Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 92. As smoothe as agroaning-wive’sbellie.
1596.Shakspeare,Hamlet, iii., 2. It would cost you agroaningto take off my edge.
1786.Burns,The Rantin’ Dog the Daddie O’t. Wha will bring thegroaning-malt?
Groats,subs.(nautical).—The chaplain’s monthly allowance.
To save one’s groats,verb. phr.(old University).—To come off handsomely. [At the Universities nine groats are deposited in the hands of an academic officer by every person standing for a degree, which, if the depositor obtains, with honour, are returned to him.—Grose.]
Grocery,subs.(common).—1. Small change.
1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.
2. (American).—A drinking bar. AlsoConfectioneryandGroggery.
1847.Porter,Quarter Race, etc. 104. He went into his favouritegrocery.[220]
3. (common).—Sugar. [A restricted use of a colloquialism.]
1841.Lytton,Night and Morning, Bk. V., ch. ii. A private room and a pint of brandy, my dear. Hot water and lots of thegrocery.
Grog,subs.(old: now recognised).—Spirits and water; strong drink generally. [Till Admiral Vernon’s time (1745) rum was served neat, but he ordered it to be diluted, and was therefore nicknamed ‘Old Grog,’ in allusion to his grogram coat: a phrase that was presently adapted to the mixture he had introduced.]Groggy= drunk.
Verb.(old).—To dilute or adulterate with water.
1878.Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury, 8 Mar. The defendants hadgroggedthe casks by putting in hot water.
To have grog on board(orto be grogged),verb. phr.(common).—To be drunk. For synonyms,seeScrewed.
1842.Comic Almanack, October. He stands and listens, sad and dogged, To ‘fined five bob’ for beinggrogged.
Grog-blossom,subs.(common).—A pimple caused by drinking to excess. AlsoCopper-noseandJolly-nose. Fr.,un nez culottéandun nez de pompettes.
1811.Lexicon Balatronicum,Grog-blossom, s.v.
1883.Thos. Hardy,The Three Strangers, inLongman’s Mag., March, p. 576. A fewgrog-blossomsmarked the neighbourhood of his nose.
1888.W. Besant,Fifty Years Ago, ch. xi., p. 169. The outward and visible signs of rum were indeed various. First, there was the red and swollen nose, next, the nose beautifully painted withgrog-blossoms.
Grog-fight,subs.(military).—A drinking party.Cf.,Tea-fight.
1876.R. M. Jephson,Girl he Left Behind Him, ch. 1. He had been having agrog-fightin his room to celebrate the event.
Groggery,subs.(American).—A public bar; a grog-shop.
Groggy,adj.(colloquial).—1. Under the influence of drink. For synonyms,seeDrinksandScrewed.
1829.Buckstone,Billy Taylor. i., as a gay young woman, will delude Taylor away from Mary, make himgroggy, then press him off to sea.
1863.Fun, 23 May, p. 98, c. 2. They fined drunkards and swearers, and there is a record in the parish-books, among others of a similar nature, of a certain Mrs. Thunder who was fined twelve shillings for being, like Mr. Cruikshank’s horse at the Brighton Review, decidedlygroggy.
1872.Echo, 30 July. A model of perfection had she not shown more than necessary partiality to her elder friend’s brandy bottle during the journey, despite the latter’s oft-repeated caution not to becomegroggy.
2. (colloquial).—Staggering or stupified with drink. Also (stable) moving as with tender feet. Also (pugilists’) unsteady from punishment and exhaustion. Fr.,locher= to begroggy.
1831.Youatt,The Horse, ch. xvi., p. 380. Long journeys at a fast pace will make almost any horsegroggy.
1846–8.Thackeray,Vanity Fair, vol. ii., ch. v. Cuff coming up full of pluck, but quite reeling andgroggy, the Fig-merchant put in his left as usual on his adversary’s nose, and sent him down for the last time.
1853.Diogenes, vol. ii., p. 177. The anxiety is not confined to the metropolis; as a respectable grazier, who rides agroggyhorse, on hearing of it at a public-house the other day, affirmed it to be the mysterious cause of the rise in the value of horseflesh.
1888.Sportsman, 28 Nov. In the tenth Thompson, who had been growinggroggy, to the surprise of Evans began to force the fighting.[221]
Grogham,subs.(old).—A horse; adaisy-kicker(q.v.). Now mostly in contempt. For synonyms,seePrad.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Grog-shop,subs.(common).—The mouth. For synonyms,seePotatoe-trap.
1843.Thackeray,Men’s Wives,Frank Berry, ch. i. Claret drawn in profusion from the gown-boy’sgrog-shop.
Grog-tub,subs.(nautical).—A brandy bottle.
Groom,subs.(gamesters’).—A croupier.
Groomed.SeeWell-groomed.
Groovy,subs.(American).—A sardine.
Adj.(popular).—Settled in habit; limited in mind.
Grope,verb. (venery).—To feel a woman; to fumble; tofam(q.v.).
1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie.Mariolement.Gropingof a wench.
1719.Durfey,Pills, etc., i., 194. Smoking, toping, Landladygroping.
Groper,subs.(old).—1. A blind man;hoodman(q.v.).
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old).—A pocket. For synonyms,seeBrighandSky-rocket.
1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 143.Gropers.Pockets.
3. (old).—A midwife; afingersmith(q.v.).
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Grotto,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.
Ground.To suit down to the ground,verb. phr.(common).—To be thoroughly becoming or acceptable.
1878.M. E. Braddon,Cloven Foot, ch. xlv. Some sea coast city in South America wouldsuit me down to the ground.
1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 9 Feb. I knows the very bloke that’llsuit you down to the ground.
1891.Sporting Life, 28 Mar. At Knowle he issuited down to the ground.
1892.Milliken,’Arry Ballads, p. ii. Theysuit me right down to the ground.
To wipe(ormop)up the ground(orfloor)with one,verb. phr.(common).—To administer the very soundest thrashing; to prove oneself absolutely superior to one’s opposite.
1887.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, i., 3. Muck! that’s my opinion of him; … I’llmop the floor up with himany day, if so be as you or any on ’em ’ll make it worth my while.
1888.Detroit Free Press, Aug. The Scroggin boy was as tough as a dogwood knot. He’dwipe up the ground with him; he’d walk all over him.
To go(orget)well to the ground,verb. phr.(old colloquial).—To defæcate;to rear(q.v.). For synonyms,seeMrs. Jones.
1608.Middleton,Family of Love, v. 3. Do yougo well to the ground?
1856.Notes and Queries, 2 S., i., p. 324.To get to the ground, in medical phraseology, means to have the bowels opened.[222]
Grounder,subs.(cricketers’).—A ball with a ground delivery; asneak; agrub; and (in America) at base-ball, a ball struck low, or flying near the ground.
Ground-floor.To be let in on the Ground-floor,verb. phr.(American).—To share in a speculation on equal terms with the original promoters.
Ground-squirrel,subs.(old).—A hog; agrunter—Lex. Bal.For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.
Ground-sweat.To have(ortake)a ground-sweat,verb. phr.(old).—To be buried.
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Ground sweat, s.v., a grave.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Grouse.To do a grouse(orto go grousing),verb. phr.(venery).—To quest, or to run down, a woman;to molrow(q.v.).Groused=Molled(q.v.).
Grouser,subs.(popular).—1. A grumbler. For synonyms,seeRusty-guts.
2. (venery).—One who goes questing after women; amolrower(q.v.).
3. (sporting).—A rowing man; awet-bob(q.v.).
Grousing,subs.(venery).—Going in quest of women;sparrow-catching(q.v.);molrowing(q.v.).
Groute,verb. (Marlborough and Cheltenham Colleges).—To work or study hard; toswot(q.v.). For synonyms,seeWire In.
Grouty,adj.(common).—Crabbed; sulky.
Grove of Eglantine,subs. phr.(venery).—The femalepudendum; also the female pubic hair. For synonyms,seeMonosyllableandFleece.
1772.Carew,Poems. ‘A Rapture.’ Retire into thyGrove of Eglantine.
Grove of the Evangelist,subs. phr.(common).—St. John’s Wood; alsoApostle’s Grove, and theBaptist’s Wood.
Grow,verb. (prison).—To be accorded the privilege of letting one’s hair and beard grow. Alsoto grow one’s feathers.
Growler,subs.(common).—A four-wheeled cab.Cf.,Sulky.
English Synonyms.—Bird-cage; blucher; bounder; fever-trap; flounder-and-dab (rhyming); four-wheeler; groping hutch; mab (an old hackney); rattler; rumbler.
French Synonyms.—Un bordel ambulant(common = a walking brothel);un char numèroté(popular);un flatar(thieves’);un foutoir ambulant(= a fuckery on wheels);un mylord(popular).
1870.Orchestra, 21 Mar. A recent enigmatical bill-poster on the walls, with the device ‘Hie, Cabby, Hie!’ turns out to be a Patent Cab Call—an ingenious sort of lamp-signal for remote hansoms andgrowlers.
1873.Land and Water, 25 Jan. The knacker’s yard is baulked for a time, while the quadruped shambles along in some poverty-strickengrowler.[223]
1883.Daily Telegraph, 8 Jan., p. 5, c. 3. But while a great improvement has been made in hansoms of late years, the four-wheeler orgrowleris still as a rule a disgrace to the metropolis.
1890.Daily Graphic, 7 Jan., p. 14, c. 1. What with hansom cabs andgrowlersand private broughams; what with bonded carmen’s towering waggons.
1891.Globe, 15 July, p. 1, c. 3. Adapting the words of Waller to the condition of many of ourgrowlers—The cab’s dull framework, battered and decayed, Lets in the air through gaps that time has made.
To rush(orwork)the growler,verb. phr.(American workmen’s).—Seequot. [Growler= pitcher.]
1888.New York Herald, 29 July. One evil of which the inspectors took particular notice was that of the employment by hands in a number of factories of boys and girls, under ten and thirteen years, to fetch beer for them, or in other wordsto rush the growler.
Grown-man’s-dose,subs.(common).—A lot of liquor. Also along drink(q.v.). For synonyms,seeGo.
Grown-up,subs.(colloquial).—An adult: among undertakers, agrown.
1864.Dickens,Our Mutual Friend, Bk. ii., ch. 1. I always did likegrown ups.
Grub,subs.(vulgar).—1. Food.
English Synonyms.—Belly-cheer (or chere); belly-furniture; belly-timber; Kaffir’s tightener (specifically, a full meal); chuck; corn; gorge-grease; manablins (= broken victuals); mouth harness; mungarly; peck; prog; scoff (S. African); scran; stodge; tack; tommy (specifically, bread); tuck; yam. Also, verbally, to bung the cask; to grease the gills; to have the run of one’s teeth; to yam.SeealsoWolf.
French Synonyms.—La becquetance(popular = peck);le biffre(popular);la frigousse(popular);la fripe(popular, from O. Fr.,fripper= to eat);la gringue(common);les matériaux(freemason’s = materials);la briffe(popular);la boustifaille(popular);le harnois de gueule(Rabelais: = mouth-harness);le coton(popular, an allusion to a lamp-wick);les comestaux(popular = comestibles);le tortorage(thieves’);la broute(popular = grazing);la morfe(O. Fr. Also, in a verbal sense = to feed);tortiller du bec(popular = to wag a jaw);se calfater le bec(nautical: also = to drink);becqueter(popular = to ‘peck’);béquiller(popular);chiquer(popular = to ‘chaw’);bouffer(popular);boulotter(common);taper sur les vivres(popular = to assault the eatables);pitancher(common: also = to drink);passer à la tortore(thieves’);se l’envoyer;casser la croustille(thieves’ = to crack a crust);tortorer(thieves’);briffer;passer à briffe(popular);brouter(Villon= to browse);se caler, orse caler les amygdales(popular);mettre de l’huile dans la lampe(common = to trim the lamp);se coller quelque chose dans le fanal,dans le fusil, ordans le tube(popular = to trim one’s beacon-light; to load one’s gun, etc.);chamailler des dents(popular = to ‘go it’ with the ivories);jouer des badigoinces(common:badigoinces= chaps);jouer des dominos(popular:dominos= teeth);déchirer la cartouche(military);gobichonner(popular);engouler(popular = to bolt);engueuler(colloquial = to gobble);friturer(popular: also = to cook);gonfler(popular: to blow out);morfiaillier(Rabelaisian);morfigner,[224]ormorfiler(From O. Fr.,morfier;cf., Ital.,morfireormorfizzare);cacher(popular = to stow away);se mettre quelque chose dans le cadavre(popular = to stoke);se lester la cale(nautical: to lay in ballast);se graisser les balots(thieves’: to grease the gills);se caresser(to do oneself a good turn);effacer(popular = to put away);travailler pour M. Domange(popular: M. Domange was a famousgoldfinderorgong farmer[q.v.]);clapoter(popular);debrider la margoulette(popular = to put one’s nose in the manger);croustiller(popular);charger pour la guadaloupe(popular);travailler pour Jules(common:Jules= Mrs. Jones);se faire le jabot(popular,jabot= stomach);jouer des osanores(popular:osanores= teeth);casser(thieves’);claquer(familiar = to rattle one’s ivories);klebjer(popular);faire trimer les mathurins(popular = to make the running with one’s teeth);se coller quelque chose dans le bocal(common:bocal= paunch);estropier(popular = to maim);passer à galtos(nautical);bourrer la paillasse(common = to stuff the mattress);faire trimer le battant(thieves’);jouer des mandibules(popular);s’emplir le gilet(popular = to fill one’s waistcoat);se garnir le bocal(popular: to furnish one’s paunch);se suiver la gargarousse(nautical: also = to drink);babouiner(popular);charger la canonnière(popular:canonnière= the breech);gousser(popular);gouffier(obsolete).
German Synonyms.—Achile,Achelinchen, orAcheliniken(from Heb.Ochal);Achelputz(from Heb.ochal+putzenfrom O.H.G.bizanorpizzan= to eat).
Italian Synonyms.—Artibrio; and, verbally,sbattere(= to beat, to struggle);intappare il fusto(= to bung the cask);smorfire.
Spanish Synonyms.—Papar(colloquial: frompapa= pap);hacer el buche(low:buche= craw or crop);echar(colloquial);manducar;meter.
1659.Dialogue betwixt an Exciseman and Death, transcribed from a Copy in British Museum, printed in London by J. C[lark]. I’ll pass my word this night Shall yield usgrubbefore the morning light.
1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., victuals.
1781.G. Parker,View of Society, I., 171. How did you procure yourgrubandBub?
1789.Geo. Parker,Life’s Painter, p. 149.Bub and Grub. A mighty low expression, signifying victuals and drink.
1836.M. Scott,Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. iii. Poor Purser! de people call him Purser, sir, because him knowing chap; him cabbage all degrub, slush, and stuff in him own corner.
d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. Any bubby andgrub, I say?
1857.Thackeray,Shabby Genteel Story, ch. i., p. 9. He used to … have hisgrubtoo on board.
1877.Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. i., p. 45. I at once congratulated myself on not being a large eater, as there was no doubt but mygrubwould runveryshort if it depended on my oakum-picking.
1889.Star, 3 Dec., p. 2, c. 6. Of course it wasgrub. It was for food, the food for which they beg, and steal, and go willingly to prison, for a certain good square meal of meat.
1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 154. That sad, sad secret about Mary would keep him ingrubfor the next day or two at ‘The Rose in Bloom.’
2. (old).—A short thick-set man; a dwarf. In contempt. For synonyms,seeHop-o’-my-Thumb.[225]
3. (colloquial).—A dirty sloven; generally used of elderly people.
4. (American).—A careful student; a hard reader.
1856.Hall,College Words and Phrases, quoted fromWilliams’ Coll. Quarterly, ii., 246. A hard reader or student:e.g., notgrubsor reading men, only wordy men.
5. (American).—Roots and stumps; whatever is ‘grubbed up.’
6. (cricketers’).—A ball delivered along the ground; agrounder(q.v.); adaisy-cutter(q.v.). For synonyms,seeLob-sneak.
1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf.Grub, s.v.
Verb.(old).—1. To take or supply with food. For synonyms,seesubs.sense 1.
1725.New Cant. Dict.Grub, s.v., to eat.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grub, s.v., to dine.
1836.Dickens,Pickwick, ch. xxii., p. 184. I never see such a chap to eat and drink; never. The red-nosed man warn’t by no means the sort of person you’d like togrubby contract, but he was nothin’ to the shepherd.
1883.Daily Telegraph, 18 May, p. 3, c. 1. ‘They are not bound togrubyou, don’t you know,’ said Mr. Sleasey, ‘and they try the starving dodge on you sometimes.’
2. (old).—To beg; to ask for alms, especially food.
3. (American).—To study, or read hard; to ‘sweat.’
To ride grub,verb. phr.(old).—To be sulky;crusty(q.v.); disagreeable.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue. Toride grub, to be sullen or out of temper.
To grub along,verb. phr.(common).—To make one’s way as best one can; ‘to rub along.’
1888.Daily Telegraph, 19 Oct. When a youth left school to follow the pursuits of life he found that he had togrub alongas best he could.
Grubbing,subs.(common).—Eating.
1819.Moore,Tom Crib. What with snoozing, highgrubbing, and guzzling like Cloe.
Grubbery,subs.(common).—(1) an eating-house. Also (2) a dining-room, and (3) the mouth.
Grubbing-crib,subs.(general).—1. An eating-house.Grubbing-crib faker= the landlord of a cheap cookshop. Fr.,le nourrisseur; Sp.,un ostalero.SeeGrub Shop, sense 2.
English Synonyms.—Grubbery; grubby-, or grubbing-ken; grub-shop; guttle-shop; hash-house; mungarly casa; prog-shop; slap-bang shop; tuck-shop; waste-butt.
French Synonyms.—Un bourre-boyaux(popular = a stuff-your-guts);un claquedents(popular, also = a brothel, or punting-house);une guingette(general);une mangeoire(popular = a grubbery:manger= to eat);un mattais(popular);un gargot(thieves’).
German Synonym.—Achilebajes(from Heb.,Ochal= to eat).
Spanish Synonym.—Ostaleria, orOsteria(also = lush-crib).
1823.Bee,Dict. of the Turf, s.v.
2. (tramps’).—A workhouse. For synonyms,seeSpinniken. SometimesGrubbiken.[226]
1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the good houses, and the tidygrubbikens—that’s the unions where there’s little or nothing to do for the food we gets.
Grubble,verb. (colloquial).—(1) To feel for at random or in the dark; and (2) (venery)to grope(q.v.).
1684.Dryden,The Disappointment. ‘Prologue.’ The doughty bullies enter bloody drunk, Invade andgrubbleone another’s punk.
Grubby,subs.(thieves’).—Food. [A diminutive ofGrub(q.v.).]
d.1842.Maginn,Vidocq’s Song. I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol lol, etc. Ay, bub orgrubby, I say.
Adj.(colloquial).—Dirty; slovenly.
d.1845.Hood,A Black Job. Like agrubbylot of sooty sweeps or colliers.
Grub-hunting,subs.(tramps’).—Begging for food.
Grub-shite,verb. (old).—To make foul or dirty; to bewray.—Grose.
Grub-shop, (or-crib,-trap, etc.),subs.(common).—1. The mouth; and (2) agrubbery(q.v.). For synonyms,seePotato-trap.
1840.Thackeray,Comic Almanack, p. 229. ‘That’s thegrub shop,’ said my lord, ‘where we young gentlemen wot has money buys our wittles.’
3.SeeGrubbing-cribin both senses.
Grub-stake,subs.(American).—Food and other necessaries furnished to mining prospectors in return for a share in the ‘finds.’ Hence, togrub-stake= to speculate after this fashion.
1884.Butterworth,Zig-zag Journeys. When miners become so poor that they are not able to furnish the necessary tools and food with which to ‘go prospecting’, a third party of sufficient means offers to furnish tools and provisions on condition that he is to have a certain interest in anything that may be found.
1891.Gunter,Miss Nobody of Nowhere, p. 100. Hegrub-stakedus and we used to work on the Tillie mine together.
Grub-street,subs.(colloquial).—The world of cheap, mean, needy authors. [Originally a street near Moorfields, changed in 1830 to Milton Street.]
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Grub-streetnews, false, forg’d.
1728.Pope,Dunciad, iii., 135. Shall take throughgrub-streethis triumphant round.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v. AGrub-streetwriter means a hackney author, who manufactures books for the booksellers.
1813. J. and H.Smith,Horace in London, ‘The Classic Villa.’Grub-street, ’tis called.
1821.Egan,Life in London, i. Few, if any, writers, out of the great mass of living scribblers, whether ofGrub-Streetfabrication, or of University passport … possess souls above buttons.
1892.Hume Nisbet,Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 119. We are going it, have got our agents inGrub Street.
Gruel,subs.(common).—1. A beating;punishment(q.v.). For synonyms,seeTanning. Hence,to get(orgive)one’s gruel= to castigate, or be well beaten; also killed. In the prize ring = to knock a man out for good.Gruelled= floored; alsoGruelling.
1815.Scott,Guy Mannering, ch. xxviii. He gathered in general, that they expressed great indignation against some individual. ‘He shall have hisgruel,’ said one.
1837.Barham,Ingoldsby Legends. ‘Babes in the Wood.’ He that was mildest in moodgave thetruculent rascalhis gruel.
1849.C. Kingsley,Alton Locke, ch. xii. They were as wellgruelledas so many posters, before they got to the stile.[227]
1888.Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Preferred to be easily knocked out totaking his gruellike a man.
1891.Licensed Vict. Gaz., 23 Jan. Both men were badly punished, but George had, of course, the lion’s share of thegruel.
1891.Licensed Vict. Mirror, 30 Jan., p. 7, c. 3. All the advantage rested with the same side for some little time, Paddock getting such agruellingthat his head swelled out like a pumpkin.
2. (American thieves’).—Coffee.
1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v.
Grueller,subs.(common).—A knock-down blow; a settler; afloorer(q.v.).
Grumble-guts,subs.(popular).—An inveterate croaker. AlsoGrumble-gizzard.
Grumbles.To be all on the grumbles,verb. phr.(popular).—To be discontented; cross;on the snarly-yow(q.v.).
Grumbletonian,subs.(common).—A pattern of discontent: one ever on the grumble. [Grumbleton (during the reigns of the later Stuarts) = an imaginary centre of discontent; hence,Grumbletonian, a nickname of the County party, distinguished from the Court, as being in opposition.]
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grumbletonians, malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.
1705–7.Ward,Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. 1, p. 24 (2nd Ed.). But all thegrumbletonianthrong Did with such violence rush along.
1773.Goldsmith,She Stoops to Conquer, Act 1. Now, if I pleased, I could be so revenged upon the oldgrumbletonian.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grumbletonian, s.v., a discontented person.
1849–61.Macaulay,Hist. of Eng., ch. xix. Who were sometimes nicknamed thegrumbletonians, and sometimes honoured with the appellation of the County party.
Grummet,subs.(venery).—The femalepudendum. For synonyms,seeMonosyllable.
Grumpy(orGrumpish),adj.(colloquial).—Surly; cross; angry.
1840.Mrs. Trollope,Michael Armstrong, ch. vi. If you blubber or lookgrumpish.
1859.Sala,Twice Round the Clock, 3 a.m., par. 13. Calling you a ‘cross,grumpy, old thing,’ when you mildly suggest that it is very near bed-time.
1868.Miss Braddon,Trail of the Serpent, bk. IV., ch. i. Agrumpyold deaf keeper, and a boy, his assistant.
1883.Punch, 19 May, p. 230, c. 2. They all lookedgrumpyand down in the mouth.
Grundy,subs.(old).—A short fat man; aforty-guts(q.v.).—SeeMrs. Grundy.
1563.Fox,Acts and Monuments(London, 1844), iii., 1104. For that he being a shortgrundy, and of little stature, did ride commonly with a great broad hat.
Grunter,subs.(old).—1. A pig; agrunting-cheat(q.v.). In quot. 1652 = pork. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.
1656.Brome,Jovial Crew. Here’sgrunterand bleater, with tib-of-the-buttry.
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew.Grunter, s.v. A sucking pig.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue.Grunter, s.v.
1841.Comic Almanack, p. 266. And the squeakinggrunteris loose on the green.
1847–50.Tennyson,Princess, v. 26. A draggled mawkin, That tends her bristledgruntersin the sludge.[228]
2. (common).—A sixpence. In quot. 1785 = 1s.Cf.,HogandPig.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Grunter, s.v. A shilling.
1858.A. Mayhew,Paved with Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 267. One of the men … had only taken three ‘twelvers’ [shillings] and agrunter.
1885.Household Words, 20 June. p. 155. The sixpence … is variously known as a ‘pig,’ a ‘sow’s baby,’ agrunter, and ‘half a hog.’
3. (common).—A policeman; atrap(q.v.); apig(q.v.sense 2). For synonyms,seeBeak.
1820.London Magazine, i., 26. As a bonnet against …grunters.
1859.Matsell,Vocabulum.Grunter, s.v., a country constable.
4. (tailors’).—An habitual grumbler; agrumble-guts(q.v.)
Grunter’s-gig,subs.(old).—A smoked pig’s chap.—Grose.
Grunting-cheat,subs.(old).—A pig.SeeChete. For synonyms,seeSow’s Baby.
1567.Harman,Caveat, p. 86. She has a cackling-chete, agrunting-chete, ruff pecke, cassan, and poplarr of yarum.
1622.Fletcher,Beggars Bush, v., 1. Or surprising a boor’s ken forgrunting-cheats? Or cackling-cheats?
Grunting-peck,subs.(old).—Pork or bacon.
1690. B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew,Grunting-peck, s.v., pork.
1728.Bailey,Eng. Dict., s.v.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1836.Smith,Individual. ‘The Thieves’ Chaunt.’ But dearer to me Sue’s kisses far Thangrunting peckor other grub are.
Gruts,subs.(common).—Tea; For synonyms,seeScandal-broth.
1811.Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
G. T. T.Gone to Texas,phr.(American).—Absconded. [Moonshining gentry used to mark G. T. T. on the doors of their abandoned dwellings as a consolation for inquiring creditors.] Fr.,aller en Belgique. For synonyms,seeSwartwort.
1835.Haliburton,Clockmaker, 5 S., ch. viii. Before this misfortin’ came I used to do a considerable smart chance of business; but now it’s time for me to cut dirt, and leave the country. I believe I must hang out the G. T. T. sign.—‘Why, what the plague is that?’ says I. ‘Gone to Texas,’ said he.
Guage.—SeeGage.
Gubbins,subs.(old).—Fish-offal.
1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.
Gudgeon,subs.(old).—1. A bait; an allurement. Hence,To gudgeon(orto swallow a gudgeon) = to be extremely credulous or gullible.
1598.Shakspeare,Merchant of Venice, i., 1. But fish not with this melancholy bait, For this fool’sgudgeon, this opinion.
1598.Florio,Worlde of Wordes,Bersela, s.v. To swallow agudgeon… to believe any tale.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue,Gudgeon, s.v. To swallow the bait, or fall into a trap, from the fish of that name which is easily taken.
1892.National Observer, 23 July, vii., 235. It has educated Hodge into an increased readiness to gorge anygudgeonthat may be offered him.
2. (colloquial).—An easy dupe; abuffle(q.v.).
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Guerrilla,subs.(American sharpers’).—Seequot.[229]
1859.Matsell,Vocabulum, s.v. This name is applied by gamblers to fellows who skin suckers when and where they can, who do not like the professional gamblers, but try to beat them, sometimes inform on them, and tell the suckers that they have been cheated.
Guff,subs.(common).—Humbug; bluff; jabber. For synonyms,seeGammon.
1889.Sportsman, 19 Jan. Hereafter he can have the newspapers to himself, and with that windbag Mitchell fill them withguffand nonsense, but I won’t notice them.
Guffy,subs.(nautical).—A soldier. For synonyms,seeMudcrusher.
Guiders,subs.(general).—1. Reins;ribbons(q.v.).
2. (common).—Sinews;leaders(q.v.).
Guinea.A guinea to a gooseberry,phr.(sporting).—Long odds.SeeLombard Street to a China Orange.
1884.Hawley Smart,Post to Finish, ch. vli. What! old Writson against Sam Pearson? Why, it’s aguinea to a gooseberryon Sam!
Guinea-dropper,subs.(old).—A sharper. Specifically one who let drop counterfeit guineas in collusion with agold-finder(q.v.). For synonyms,seeRook.
1712,Gay,Trivia, iii., 249. Who now theguinea dropper’sbait regards, Tricked by the sharper’s dice or juggler’s cards.
Guinea-hen,subs.(old).—A courtezan. For synonyms,seeBarrack-hackandTart.
1602.Shakspeare,Othello, i., 3. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of aguinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.
1630.Glapthorne,Albertus Wallenstein. Yonder’s the cock o’ the game About to tread yonguinea-hen, they’re billing.
Guinea-pig,subs.(old).—1. A general term of reproach.
1748.Smollett,Roderick Random, xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever stepp’d on forecastle—none of yourguinea-pigs,—nor your freshwater, wishy-washy, fair-weather fowls.
2. (old).—Any one whose nominal fee for professional services is a guinea: as vets., special jurymen, etc. Now mainly restricted to clergymen acting as deputies, and (in contempt) to directors of public companies. HenceGuinea-trade= professional services of any kind.
1821.Coombe,Dr. Syntax, Tour III., c. iv. ‘Oh, oh,’ cried Pat, ‘how my hand itches, Thouguinea-pig[a ‘vet.’], in boots and breeches, to trounce thee well.’
1871.Temple Bar, vol. xxxi., p. 320. A much more significant term is that ofguinea pigs, the pleasant name for those gentlemen of more rank than means, who hire themselves out as directors of public companies, and who have a guinea and a copious lunch when they attend board meetings.
1880.Church Review, 2 Jan.Guinea pigs… are, for the most part, unattached or roving parsons, who will take any brother cleric’s duty for the moderate remuneration of one guinea.
1883.Saturday Review, 25 Aug., p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in the week. Recourse was had in vain to the neighbours, and it was decided at last to telegraph to London for aguinea pig.
1884.Echo, 19 May, p. 1, c. 5. Let us apply the principle further, and imagine … limited liability swindlers tried by a jury ofguinea-pigsand company promoters.[230]
1884.Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562, c. 3. And theguinea-pig, whose name is on a dozen different Boards, is justly regarded with suspicion.
1886.Chambers’s Jour., 24 Apr., p. 258. In order to be considered of any value as Director of a Company, aguinea-pigought to have a handle to his name.
1887.Payn,Glow Worm Tales. ‘A Failure of Justice.’ He is best known to the public as aguinea-pig, from his habit of sitting at boards and receiving for it that nominal remuneration, though in his case it stands for a much larger sum.
1889.Drage,Cyril, vii. The rector has, as usual, got the gout, and we live under arégime… ofguinea-pigs.
1890.Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4. The least attempt to saddle responsibility for misleading statements upon Boards of Directors would drive prudent, ‘respectable’ men out of what is vulgarly called theguinea-pigbusiness.
3. (nautical).—Seequot.
1840.Marryat,Poor Jack, ch. xxvi. While Bramble was questioned by the captain and passengers, I was attacked by the midshipmen, orguinea-pigsas they are called.
Guise’s Geese,subs. phr.(military).—The Sixth Foot or ‘Saucy Sixth.’ [From its Colonel’s name, 1735–63.]
Guiver,subs.(theatrical).—(1) Flattery, and (2)artfulness(q.v.). For synonyms,seeSoft Soap.
Adj.(common).—Smart; fashionable;on it(q.v.).Guiver lad= a low-class dandy; also anartful member(q.v.).
a.1866.Vance,Chickaleary Cove. The stock around my squeeze of aguivercolour see.
Verb(sporting).—To humbug;to fool about(q.v.); to show off.
1891.Sporting Life, 25 Mar. He goes into a ring tofighthis man, not to spar and look pretty, and run, and dodge, andguiver.
Gulf,subs.(old).—1. The throat; also the maw. For synonyms,seeGutter-alley.
1579.Spencer,Shephearde’s Calendar, Sept. That with many a lamb had glutted hisgulf.
2. (Cambridge Univ.).—The bottom of a list of ‘passes,’ with the names of those who only just succeed in getting their degree.
1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 205. Some ten or fifteen men just on the line, not bad enough to be plucked, or good enough to be placed, are put into thegulf, as it is popularly called (the examiners’ phrase is ‘degrees allowed’), and have their degrees given them, but are not printed in the calendar.
3. (Oxford Univ.).—A man who, going in for honours, only gets a pass.
Verb(Cambridge Univ.).—To place in thegulf,subs., sense 2 (q.v.);to be gulfed= to be on such a list. [Men so placed were not eligible for the Classical Tripos].Cf.,PluckandPlough.
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, pt. iii., p. 89. I am not going to let themgulphme a second time.
1863.H. Kingsley,Austin Elliot, p. 123. The good Professor scolded, predicted that they would all be eithergulfedor ploughed.
1865.Sporting Gaz., 1 Apr. A man who wasgulfedfor mathematical honours was certainly, in olden time, unable to enter for the classical examination; but though the arrangement is altered, the term isnotobsolete. A man who isgulfedis considered to know enough mathematics for an ordinary degree, but not enough to be allowed his degree in mathematics only; he is consequently obliged to pass in all the ordinary subjects (except mathematics) for the ‘poll,’ before taking his degree.[231]
1876.Trevelyan,Life of Macaulay(1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos of 1822 made its appearance, his name did not grace the list. In short … Macaulay wasgulfed.
1852.Bristed,Five Years in an English University, p. 297. I discovered that my name was nowhere to be found—that I wasgulfed.
Gulf-spin,subs.(American cadet).—A rascal; a worthless fellow;a beat(q.v.) ashyster(q.v.).
Gull,subs.(old, now recognised).—1. A ninny. For synonyms,seeBuffleandCabbage-head.
1596.Sir J. Davies,Book of Epigrams. Agullis he who feares a velvet gowne, And when a wench is brave dares not speak to her; Agullis he which traverseth the towne, And is for marriage known a common wooer; Agullis he, which while he proudly weares A silver-hilted rapier by his side. Indures the lye and knockes about the eares, While in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But to define agullin termes precise—Agullis he whichseems, andis not, wise.
1598.Florio,A World of Wordes,passim.
1609.Jonson,Case is Altered, iv., 3.Jun.Tut, thou art a goose to be Cupid’sgull.
1609.Shakspeare,Timon of Athens. Lord Timon will be left a nakedgull. Which flashes now a phœnix.
1614.Overbury,Characters. ‘A Roaring Boy.’ He cheats younggulsthat are newly come to town.
1618.Rowlands,Night Raven, p. 28 (H. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses where base cheaters vse, And note whatgulls(to worke vpon) they chuse.
1661.Brome,Poems, ‘The Cure of Care.’ Thosegullsthat by scraping and toiling.
1818.S. E. Ferrier,Marriage, ch. li. The poorgullwas caught, and is now, I really believe, as much in love as it is in the nature of a stupid man to be.
1850.D. Jerrold,The Catspaw, Act i. Pshaw! some rascal that lives on simpletons andgulls.
1892.R. L. StevensonandL. Osbourne,The Wrecker, p. 231. I was a dweller under roofs; thegullof that which we call civilisation.
2. (old).—A cheat; a fraud; a trick.
1600.Shakspeare,Much Ado about Nothing, ii., 3. I should think this agull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it.
1611.Cotgrave,Dictionarie, q.v.
3. (Oxford Univ.).—A swindler; a trickster.Cf.,Gull-catcher, of which it is probably an abbreviation.
1825.The English Spy, v. I., p. 161. ‘You’ll excuse me, sir, but as you arefresh, take care to avoid thegulls.’ ‘I never understood thatgullswere birds of prey,’ said I. ‘Only in Oxford, sir, and here, I assure you, they bite like hawks.’
Verb(old: now recognised).—To cheat; to dupe; to victimise;to take in(q.v.). in any fashion and to any purpose.
1596.Jonson,Every Man in his Humour, v. This is a mere trick, a device, you aregulledin this most grossly.
1602.Shakspeare,Twelfth Night, ii., 3.Mar.For Monsieur Maluolio, let me alone with him; If I do notgullhim into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not thinke I haue witte enough to lye straight in my bed; I know I can do it.
1607.Rowlands,Diogenes, his Lanthorne, p. 11 (H. C. Rept. 1873). He promist me good stuffetruly, a great pennyworthindeed, and verily didgullme.
1610.Jonson,Alchemist, v., 2. Hast thougulledher of her jewels or her bracelets?
1639.Selden,Table Talk, p. 98 (Arber’s ed.). Presbyters have the greatest power of any Clergy in the world, andgullthe Laity most.
1778.Sketches for Tabernacle-Frames, p. 25,note. ThesefanaticalPreachers frequently squeeze out Tears togulltheir Audience.[232]
1851–61.Mayhew,Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, I., 472. It’s generally the lower order that hegulls.
1892.HenleyandStevenson,Deacon Brodie, ix. Pay your debts, andgullthe world a little longer.
HenceGullible,adj., = easily duped.