Guinea. A guinea to a gooseberry, phr. (sporting).—Long odds. See
Lombard Street to a China Orange.
1884. Hawley Smart, Post to Finish, ch. vli. What! old Writson
against Sam Pearson? Why, it’s a guinea to a gooseberry on Sam!
Guinea-dropper, subs. (old).—A sharper. Specifically one who let drop
counterfeit guineas in collusion with a gold-finder (q.v.). For
synonyms, see Rook.
1712, Gay, Trivia, iii., 249. Who now the guinea dropper’s bait
regards, Tricked by the sharper’s dice or juggler’s cards.
Guinea-hen, subs. (old).—A courtezan. For synonyms, see Barrack-hack
and Tart.
1602. Shakspeare, Othello, i., 3. Ere I would say I would drown
myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity
with a baboon.
1630. Glapthorne, Albertus Wallenstein. Yonder’s the cock o’ the
game About to tread yon guinea-hen, they’re billing.
Guinea-pig, subs. (old).—1. A general term of reproach.
1748. Smollett, Roderick Random, xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever
stepp’d on forecastle—none of your guinea-pigs,—nor your
freshwater, wishy-washy, fair-weather fowls.
2. (old).—Any one whose nominal fee for professional services is a
guinea: as vets., special jurymen, etc. Now mainly restricted to
clergymen acting as deputies, and (in contempt) to directors of public
companies. Hence Guinea-trade = professional services of any kind.
1821. Coombe, Dr. Syntax, Tour III., c. iv. ‘Oh, oh,’ cried Pat,
‘how my hand itches, Thou guinea-pig [a ‘vet.’], in boots and
breeches, to trounce thee well.’
1871. Temple Bar, vol. xxxi., p. 320. A much more significant term
is that of guinea pigs, the pleasant name for those gentlemen of
more rank than means, who hire themselves out as directors of
public companies, and who have a guinea and a copious lunch when
they attend board meetings.
1880. Church Review, 2 Jan. Guinea pigs ... are, for the most part,
unattached or roving parsons, who will take any brother cleric’s
duty for the moderate remuneration of one guinea.
1883. Saturday Review, 25 Aug., p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was
suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in the week. Recourse was
had in vain to the neighbours, and it was decided at last to
telegraph to London for a guinea pig.
1884. Echo, 19 May, p. 1, c. 5. Let us apply the principle further,
and imagine ... limited liability swindlers tried by a jury of
guinea-pigs and company promoters.
1884. Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562, c. 3. And the guinea-pig, whose
name is on a dozen different Boards, is justly regarded with
suspicion.
1886. Chambers’s Jour., 24 Apr., p. 258. In order to be considered
of any value as Director of a Company, a guinea-pig ought to have a
handle to his name.
1887. Payn, Glow Worm Tales. ‘A Failure of Justice.’ He is best
known to the public as a guinea-pig, from his habit of sitting at
boards and receiving for it that nominal remuneration, though in
his case it stands for a much larger sum.
1889. Drage, Cyril, vii. The rector has, as usual, got the gout,
and we live under a régime ... of guinea-pigs.
1890. Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4. The least attempt to saddle
responsibility for misleading statements upon Boards of Directors
would drive prudent, ‘respectable’ men out of what is vulgarly
called the guinea-pig business.