5. (Christ's Hospital).—Boiled fat beef. Gag-eater = a term of reproach.
1813. Lamb, Christ's Hospital, in wks., p. 324 (ed. 1852). L. has recorded the repugnance of the school to gags, or the fat of fresh beef boiled; and sets it down to some superstition. . . . A gag-eater in our time was equivalent to a ghoul . . . and held in equal estimation.
6. (Winchester College).—An exercise (said to have been invented by Dr. Gabell) which consists in writing Latin criticisms on some celebrated piece, in a book sent in about once a month. In the Parts below Sixth Book and Senior Part, the gags consisted in historical analysis. [An abbreviation of 'gathering.']
1870. Mansfield, School-life at Winchester College, p. 108. From time to time, also, they had to write . . . an analysis of some historical work; these productions were called gatherings (or gags).
Verb, trs. and intrs. (theatrical).—1. To speak gags (q.v.), sense 2. Fr., cascader.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, III., 149. He has to gag, that is, to make up words.
1852. Dickens, Bleak House, ch. xxxix. The same vocalist gags in the regular business like a man inspired.
1883. Referee, 15 April, p. 3, c. 1. Toole . . . cannot repress a tendency to gag and to introduce more than is set down for him by the author.
2. (old).—To hoax; to puff.
1781. G. Parker, View of Society, II., 154. Having discovered the weak side of him he means to gag.
1823. Jon Bee, Dict. of the Turf, etc., s.v. A showman cries 'Walk in, ladies and gentlemen, they're all alive,' but the spectators soon perceive 'tis all stuff, reproach Mr. Merryman, and he, in excuse, swears he said 'they were' and not 'are alive' He thus gags the public.
1876. Hindley, Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 325. Then they gag the thing up, and send their bills out about the immense cost of scenery and dresses, and other expenses they are at, etc.
3. (thieves').—To inform; to round on (q.v.); also to blow the gag. cf., Gaff, Gab, etc. For synonyms, see Peach.
1891. Morning Advertiser, 28 Mar. She . . . besought them with (crocodile) tears not to gag on them, in other words not to give information to the police.
On the high gag., adv. phr. (old).—On the whisper; telling secrets; cf., verb, sense 3.
1823. Kent, The Modern Flash Dict., s.v.
1848. Duncombe, Sinks of London, etc., s.v.
On the low gag, adv. phr. (old).—On the last rungs of beggary, ill-luck, or despair.
1823. Kent, The Modern Flash Dict., s.v.
1848. Duncombe, The Sinks of London, etc., s.v.
To strike the gag, verb. phr. (old).—To cease from chaffing.
1839. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard (ed. 1889), p. 43. 'A clever device,' replied Jonathan; 'but it won't serve your turn. Let us pass, sir. Strike the gag, Blueskin.'
Gage (Gauge or Gag), subs. (old).—1. A quart pot (i.e., a measure). Also a drink or go (q.v.).
1567. Harman, Caveat (1814), p. 65. A gage, a quart pot.
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). Gage, a quart pot.
1622. J. Fletcher, Beggars Bush. I crown thy nab with a gage of benbouse.
