Gum-tree. To be up a gum-tree, verb. phr. (American).—To be on one’s
last legs; at the end of one’s rope. ‘He has seen his last gum-tree’ =
It is all up with him.
Gun, subs. (old).—1. A lie. New Cant. Dict., 1725. For synonyms, see
Whopper.
2. (common).—A thief; specifically, a magsman (q.v.) or street-artist.
Also Gun-smith and Gunner. Gunning = thieving. [An abbreviation of
Gonof (q.v.).] See Area-sneak and Thieves.
1858. A. Mayhew, Paved with Gold, bk. II., ch. i., p. 70. I tell
you you ain’t a-going to make a gun (thief) of this here young
flat.
1868. Temple Bar, xxv., 213. ... returned to his old trade of
gunsmith, gunning being the slang term for thieving, or going on
the cross.
1882. Cornhill Mag., p. 649. Flats graft for guns.
1889. Clarkson and Richardson, Police. Gunners and grasshoppers
sneak about watching their opportunities.