1719. Durfey, Pills, etc., 193. When Nelly, though he teized her,
And grabbled her and squeezed her.
Grabby, subs. (military).—An infantry-man. [Used in contempt by the
mounted arm.] Fr., marionnette.
1868. Whyte Melville, White Rose, ch. x. ‘Is it a good regiment?
How jolly to dine at mess every day!’ ‘I shouldn’t like to be a
grabby though’ (this from the Dandy); ‘and after all, I’d rather be
a private in the cavalry than an officer in the regiment of feet!’
Grab-gains, subs. (thieves’).—The trick of snatching a purse, etc., and
making off.
Grab-game (or -coup, or -racket), subs. (old).—A mode of swindling: the
sharpers start by betting among themselves; then the by-standers are
induced to join; then stakes are deposited; lastly, there is a row,
when one of the gang grabs the stakes, and decamps. But see quot.,
1823.
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Grab-coup, modern practice of
gambling, adopted by the losers, thus the person cheated, or done,
takes his opportunity, makes a dash at the depository of money, or
such as may be down for the play, and grabs as much as possible,
pockets the proceeds, and fights his way out of the house.
18(?). Scenes in the Rocky Mountains, p. 282. ‘I’ll bear you
company. What d’ye say to that?’ ‘Just as you like,’ responded his
two companions, ‘that is provided you won’t attempt the grab game
on us.’
1892. R. L. Stevenson and L. Osbourne, The Wrecker, p. 219. ‘Now,
boss!’ he cried, not unkindly, ‘is this to be run shipshape; or is
it a Dutch grab-racket?’
Grace-card, subs. (Irish).—The Six of Hearts. [For origin see N. and
Q., 5th Series, iv., 137].
Gracemans, subs. (old).—Grace-church Street Market.
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (W. Club’s Rept., 1874).
Gracemans, Gratious Streete market.
Graduate, subs. (turf).—1. A horse that has been run.