As merry as a grig [etymology uncertain], a saying supposed by some to
be a corruption of "As merry as a Greek; " by others, to be an allusion
to the cricket.
Gril (grl), a. [OE. gril harsh; akin to G. grell offending the ear or
eye, shrill, dazzling, MHG. grel angry; cf. AS. gallan to provoke.]
Harsh; hard; severe; stern; rough. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
Grill, n. [F. gril. See Grill, v. t.] 1. A gridiron.
[They] make grills of [wood] to broil their meat.
Cotton.