1578. Lyte, Trans. of Dodoens History of Plantes, fol. 72. Hempe is
called in ... English, Neckweede, and gallowgrass.
Gallows, subs. (old).—1. A rascal; a wretch deserving the rope.
1594. Shakspeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost, v., 2. A shrewd unhappy
gallows too.
1754. B. Martin, Eng. Dict. (2nd ed.). s.v. = a wicked rascal.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist. (To Oliver). Now young gallows.
1838. Jas. Grant, Sketches in London, ch. ii., p. 58. Blow me
tight, young gallows, if I don’t pound your ribs to powder!