1704. Cibber, Careless Husband, i., 1. Sir C. Who was that other? More. One of Lord Foppington's gang.
1754. Fielding, Jonathan Wild, bk. i., c. 14. What then have I to do in the pursuit of greatness, but to employ a gang, and to make the use of this gang centre in myself? Idem. bk. iii., c. 14. But in an illegal society or gang, as this of ours, it is otherwise.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum. Gang, company, squad, mob.
Ganger, subs. (old: now recognised).—An
overseer or foreman of a
gang of workmen; one who superintends.
For synonyms, see
Governor.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., ii., 487. The ganger, or head of the working gang, who receives his orders from the inspector, and directs the men accordingly.
1884. Cornhill Mag., June, p. 614, The mother and boy do the work, while the father constitutes himself contractor for and ganger over their labour.
Ganymede, subs. (old).—1. A
sodomist. For synonyms, see
Usher.
1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, Catamito, a ganimed, an ingle, a boie hired to sinne against nature. [And in Cotgrave (1611) under Ganymedes; Any boy that's loved for carnal abuse, an Ingle.]
1598. Marston, Satyres, ii. But Ho! What ganimede is it doth grace The gallant's heels.
2. (popular).—A pot-boy (i.e., a cup-bearer). The masculine of hebe (q.v.).
1659. Florio-Torriano, Vocabolario. Mescitore, a skinker or filler of wine; also a mingler, a ganimede.
1841. Punch I., p. 101, c. 1. Lo! Ganymede appears with a foaming tankard of ale.
Gaol-bird, subs. (old: now recognised).—A
person who has been
often in gaol; an incorrigible
rogue. Fr., un chevronné. For
synonyms, see Wrong 'Un.
1680. Hist. of Edward II., p. 146. It is the piety and the true valour of an army, which gives them heart and victory; which how it can be expected out of ruffians and gaol-birds, I leave to your consideration.
1701. Defoe, True Born Englishman, part II. In print my panegyrics fill the street, And hired gaol-birds, their huzzas repeat.
1762. Smollett, L. Greaves, vol. II., ch. ix. He is become a blackguard gaol-bird.
1857. C. Reade, Never Too Late ch. xi. The gaol-birds who piped this tune were without a single exception the desperate cases of this moral hospital; they were old offenders.
1882. Pall Mall Gaz., 5 Oct. Liberating the gaol-birds in Alexandria.
Gaoler's Coach, subs. phr. (old).—A
hurdle to the place of
execution.
1785. Grose. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
Gap, subs. (venery).—The female
pudendum: also Sportsman's
gap and water-gap (q.v.). For
synonyms, see Monosyllable.
d. 1746. Robertson of Struan, Poems, p. 84. O gracious Hymen! Cure this dire Mishap, Sew up this mighty rent, or fill the gap.
To blow the gap, verb. phr. (old).—The same as to blow the gaff (q.v.).
1821. Egan, Real Life, etc., i., 557 He should like to smack the bit without blowing the gap.
Gaper, subs. (venery).—The
female pudendum. Also, Gaper
(and Gape) over the Garter.
For synonyms, see Monosyllable.
Gapes, subs. (colloquial).—A fit of
yawning; also the open mouth of
astonishment.
1818. Austen, Persuasion. Another hour of music was to give delight or the gapes.
