G.
Gab.—Small talk, patter, flash. Gift of the Gab, talent in conversation.
Gaffing.—Low gambling.
Game of the Spell.—The play of life.
Gammoners.—Cheats.
Gammoning the Draper.—When a man is without a shirt, and is buttoned up close to his neck, with merely a handkerchief round it, to make an appearance of cleanliness, it is termed “gammoning the draper!”
Gammoning a Main.—Pretending to be hurt, or crippled.
Garnish.—Entrance money, to be spent in drink, demanded of all newcomers in Debtor’s Prisons.
Gay Tyke Boys.—Dog fanciers.
Gig.—Fun. Bit of gig, a bit of fun.
Gin Spinners.—Distillers, also publicans.
Glim.—A lanthorn, a hazy eye, &c.
Goldfinches.—Sovereigns.—“Fine singing birds.”
Go it.—Keep it up: keep moving.
Gomersal, Edward Alexander, Actor: represented with wonderful success Napoleon, in the Astley’s dramatic version of the Battle of Waterloo, died at Leeds, October 19th, 1862, aged 74.
Grand-twig.—Handsome set out.
Grand Strut—The.—Rotten Row, Hyde Park.
Gravel Digger.—A sharp toe’d dancer.
Greeks.—Black legs, sharpers, &c. Also a term for low Irish People.
Green.—Raw, not understanding.
Greyhound, A.—Should have according to all sporting Kiddies:—
A head like a snake, a neck like a drake,
A back like a beam, a belly like a bream:
A foot like a cat, a tail like a rat.
Grimaldi, Joseph. Vulgo, Joey Grimaldi, the renowned clown, 1779-1837.
Grog.—Rum and water cold without. Admiral Vernon was called “Old Grog” by his sailors, because he was accustomed to walk the deck in rough weather in a “grogram cloak,” as he was the first to serve water in the rum on board ship, the mixture went by the name of Grog. Tom, Jerry and Bob Logic found out its use and abuse not only in the Back Slums in the Holy Land, but at Mr. Mace’s Crib in the East.
Grub.—It is scarcely necessary to explain the meaning of grub; it is a subject in the mouth of everybody, and therefore interesting to the taste. Indeed, this sort of cant is quite current throughout all ranks of society, and is well understood.—Grub and Bub, victuals and drink of any kind.
Grub-street.—This phrase, respecting the residence of Authors, is nearly obsolete; and, in point of fact, is altogether erroneous. If it might not be deemed trespassing rather too feelingly upon so delicate a subject, in consulting the best authorities, both living and dead, it will be found that hungry Authors, in the best of times, have had very little to do with grub-street! the smell of the joint being more within their province than the actual possession of the substance.
Guinea Pig.—A fellow who receives a guinea for puffing off an unsound horse.