Gasser, subs. ( common).—A braggart. For synonyms, see Mouth Almighty.
Gassy (or Gaseous), adj
(common).—1. Likely to take
umbrage or to flare-up.
1863. North American Review, cxliii., p. 220. Gassy politicians in Congress.
2. (colloquial).—Full of empty talk or gas (q.v.).
1872. Whitney, Life and Growth of Lang., p. 17. As when we call an empty and sophistical but ready talker gassy.
Gaster, subs. (nonce-word).—A
fine and curious eater (Thackeray).
In Rabelais = the belly and
the needs thereof: a coinage
adopted by Urquhart.
Gat, subs. (schoolboys').—A
quantity; e.g., a gat of grub =
plenty to eat. Also gats.
1803. Every-day Life in our Public Schools. They are called up in gats of three at a time.
Gate, subs. (colloquial).—1. The
attendance at a race or athletic
meeting, held in enclosed grounds;
the number of persons who pass
the gate.
1883. Sportsman, 20 Dec. The Birmingham man, on account of the large gate that would be secured, wanted the affair to be brought off in that town, whereas Regan favoured Wolverhampton.
2. Money paid for admission to athletic sports, race course, etc.; the same as gate-money (q.v.).
1891. Telegraph, 21 Mar. The leading clubs are now commercial corporations, dependent for revenue on the gates at the matches.
3. in. pl. (University).—The being forbidden to pass outside the gate of a college. See verb, sense 1.
18(?). Bradley, Tales of College Life, p. 19. That's the ticket; that will just land me in time for gates.
1881. Lang, xxxii. Ballades, 'Of Midsummer Term.' When freshmen are careless of gates.
Verb. (University).—To confine wholly or during certain hours within the college gate for some infraction of discipline.
1835. The Snobiad (Whibley, Cap and Gown, p. 141). Two proctors kindly holding either arm Staunch the dark blood and gate him for the term.
1853. Bradley, Verd. Green, I., ch. xii. He won't hurt you much, Giglamps! Gate and chapel you!
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, ch. xii. Now you'll both be gated probably, and the whole crew will be thrown out of gear.
1865. Cornhill Mag., p. 227. He is requested to confine himself to college after a specified hour, which is familiarly termed being gated.
1870. Morning Advertiser, 23 May. The two least culpable of the party have been gated.
The gate, subs. phr. (various).—Among fishmongers, Billingsgate; among thieves, Newgate. Cf., Lane, Row, Garden, etc.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude, ch. i., p. 5. The 'steel,' a slang name of the large metropolitan prisons, as the gate is for Newgate.
To break gates, verb. phr.—(University).—To stay out of college after hours.
To be at Gates, verb. phr. (Winchester College).—To assemble in Seventh Chamber passage, preparatory to going Hills or Cathedral.
1870. Mansfield, School Life, p. 149. Soon after morning chapel on a holiday or a remedy all the boys assembled at gates.
On the gate, adv. phr. (thieves').—On remand.
