1884. Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the
sensations of being gooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate,
drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and
Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.
Gooseberry-pudding, subs. (rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms, see
Petticoat.
Gooseberry-wig, subs. (old).—A large frizzled wig. ‘Perhaps,’ says
Grose (s.v.), ‘from a supposed likeness to a gooseberry bush.’
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
Goosecap, subs. (common).—A booby, male or female; a noodle. For
synonyms, see Buffle and Cabbage-head.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super. in wks. II., 72. A foole, an
idiot, a dolt, a goose-capp, an asse, and soe fourth.
1604. Dekker, Honest Wh. in wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you gulles,
you goose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters!
1622. Beaumont and Fletcher, Beggar’s Bush, iv., 4. Why, what a
goose-cap wouldst thou make me!
1763. Foote, Mayor of Garratt, Act i. My husband is such a
goose-cap that I can’t get no good out of him at home or abroad.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A silly fellow or woman.
Goose- (or Goose’s) Egg, subs. (American).—No score. Also Gooser. See
Duck.
1886. New York Times, July. With nine unpalatable goose-eggs in
their contest.
1889. Modern Society, 12 Oct., p. 1264. An enthusiastic lady
cricketer has just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matrimonial match.
‘No, Mr. Brown, I cannot marry you. You score a gooser this time.’
Goose-flesh (or Goose-skin), subs. (colloquial).—A peculiar tingling of
the skin produced by cold, fear, etc.; the sensation described as ‘cold
water down the back’; the creeps (q.v.).
1824. Miss Ferrier, Inheritance, ch. ii. Her skin began to rise
into what is vulgarly termed goose-skin.
Goose-gog (or Goose-gob), subs. (common).—A gooseberry.
Goose-grease, subs. phr. (venery).—A woman’s spendings (q.v.). See
Goose, subs., sense 6.
Goose-month, subs. (old).—The lying-in month. Cf., Gander-month.
Goose-persuader, subs. (common).—A tailor. For synonyms, see Snip.
Gooser, subs. (popular).—1. A settler; a knock-out blow; the act of
death. See Dig and Wipe.
1851–61. H. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, vol. III., p. 133.
It was he who saved my life. If it hadn’t been for him it would
have been a gooser with me.
1857. Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. In the event of my getting a
gooser.