Adj. (colloquial).—Showy but worthless; tinsel. Fr., en pain d’épice.
Gingerbread work (nautical) = carved and gilded decorations;
gingerbread quarters (nautical) = luxurious living.
1757. Smollett, Compendium of Voyages and Travels. The rooms are
too small and too much decorated with carving and gilding, which is
a kind of gingerbread work.
To take the gilt off the gingerbread. See gilt.
Gingerly, adj. and adv. (old: now recognised).—As adj., delicate;
fastidious; dainty; as adv., with great care; softly.
1533. Udal, Floures for Latine Spekynge. We stayghe and prolonge
our goyng, with a nyce or tendre and softe, delicate, or gingerly
pace.
c. 1563. Jacke Jugeler, p. 40 (ed. Grosart). We used to call her at
home Dame Coye, a pretie gingerlie pice [piece].
1592. Nashe, Pierce Penilesse, in Wks., ii., 32. That lookes as
simperingly as if she were besmeared, and sits it as gingerly as if
she were dancing the Canaries.
1611. Chapman, May-Day, Act iii., p. 294 (Plays, 1874). Come, come,
gingerly; for God’s sake, gingerly.
1659. Torriano, Vocabolario, q.v.
1690. B. E., Dict. of the Cant. Crew, s.v. Gently, softly, easily.
1759–67. Sterne, Tristram Shandy, vol. V., ch. v. My mother was
going very gingerly in the dark.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. To go gingerly to work, i.e., to
attempt a thing gently, or cautiously.
1874. Mrs. H. Wood, Johnny Ludlow, 1 S. 12, p. 207. The Squire went
in gingerly, as if he had been treading on a spiked ploughshare.
Ginger-pop, subs. (colloquial).—1. Ginger-beer.