GOOSER, a settler, or finishing blow.
GORMED, a Norfolk corruption of a profane oath. So used by Mr.
Peggotty, one of Dickens’ characters.
GORGER, a swell, a well dressed, or _gorgeous_ man—probably derived
from that word.
GOSPEL GRINDER, a city missionary, or tract distributor.
GOSS, a hat—from the gossamer silk with which modern hats are made.
GONNOF, or GUN, a fool, a bungler, an amateur pickpocket. A
correspondent thinks this may be a corruption of _gone off_, on the
analogy of GO-ALONG; but the term is really as old as _Chaucer’s_ time.
During Kett’s rebellion in Norfolk, in the reign of Edward VI., a song
was sung by the insurgents in which the term occurs—
“The country GNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and Hick,
With clubbes and clouted shoon,
Shall fill up Dussyn dale
With slaughtered bodies soone.”
GOUROCK HAM, salt herrings. Gourock, on the Clyde, about twenty-five
miles from Glasgow, was formerly a great fishing village.—_Scotch._
GOVERNMENT SIGNPOST, the gallows.
GOVERNOR, a father, a master or superior person, an elder; “which way,
GUV’NER, to Cheapside?”
GRABB, to clutch, or seize.
GRABBED, caught, apprehended.
GRABBERS, the hands.
GRACE-CARD, the ace of hearts.
GRAFT, to work; “where are you GRAFTING?” _i.e._, where do you live, or
work?
GRANNY, to know, or recognise; “de ye GRANNY the bloke?” do you know
the man?
GRANNY, importance, knowledge, pride; “take the GRANNY off them as has
white hands,” viz., remove their self-conceit.—_Mayhew_, vol. i., p.
364.