Grecian Accent, subs. (popular).—A brogue.
Grecian-bend, subs. (common).—A stoop in walking. [Affected by some
women c. 1869–80.] Cf., Alexandra Limp, Roman Fall, Italian Wriggle,
Kangaroo Droop.
1821. Etonian, ii., 57. In person he was of the common size, with
something of the Grecian bend, contracted doubtless from sedentary
habits.
1869. Daily Telegraph, 1 Sept. I do not, however, think the ‘stoop’
our girls now have arises from tight-lacing. Some affect what is
called the Grecian bend.
1870. Orchestra, 25 Mar. ‘Grand Comic Concert.’ The ladies have
their Grecian bend, our typical gentleman explains a correspondent
masculine affectation which he dubs ‘The Roman Fall—The Roman
Fall.’
1871. Morning Advertiser, 4 Dec. A lady of five feet becomes, say,
five feet two inches per heels, five feet six inches per hair, five
feet again, per Grecian bend.
1876. Chambers’ Journal, No. 629. Your own advocacy for the Grecian
bend and the Alexandra limp—both positive and practical imitations
of physical affliction.
1886. Cornhill Magazine, Dec., p. 618. You ain’t nearly fine enough
for a waitress or for ’im, neether. He likes a smart young woman
with a Grecian bend.
Greed, subs. (thieves).—Money. For synonyms, see Actual and Gilt.
1857. Ducange Anglicus, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Greedy-gut (or -guts), subs. (old).—A voracious eater; a glutton. [As
in the old (schoolboys’) rhyme: ‘Guy-hi, Greedy-gut, Eat all the
pudding up.’] For synonyms, see Stodger. Fr., un glafâtre.
1598. Florio, A Worlde of Wordes, Edace, an eater, a devourer. a
greedigut. Ibid. Putti occhi, greedie eies.
1772. Coles, Eng. Dict., s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
Greek, subs. (old).—1. Slang, or flash (q.v.); usually St. Giles’ Greek
(q.v.). Cf., Cant, Gibberish, etc.