1815. Scott, Guy Mannering, ch. xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown . . . told him some goose's gazette about his being taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.
Goose-shearer, subs. (common).—A
beggar. For synonyms, see
Cadger. [From goose = simpleton
+ shearer = a cheater.]
Goose's-neck, subs. (venery).—The
penis. For synonyms, see
Creamstick and Prick.
Goose-step, subs. (common).—Balancing
on one foot and
moving the other back and
forwards without taking a step.
[A preliminary in military drill,
the pons asinorum of the raw
recruit.] Also (more loosely)
'marking time': that is, lifting
the feet alternately without
advancing.
1840. Tate's Mag., Sept., p. 607 Whether the remarkable evolution [the goose step] was called . . . from the nature of the operation requiring the exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation of the above-named animal, I am totally at a loss to say.
1890. Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. He won his spurs at Punchestown before he had mastered the goose step.
Goose-turd Green, adj. (old).—A
light-yellowish green.—Cotgrave.
Goosey-gander, subs. (common).—A
fool. For synonyms, see
Buffle and Cabbage-head.
Goosing-slum, subs. (American).—A
brothel. [Goosing =
womanizing; also copulating.]
For synonyms, see Nanny-shop.
Gopher, subs. (American).—1.
A young thief; especially a boy
employed by burglars to enter
houses through windows, skylights,
etc. [In natural history
gopher = a burrowing squirrel.]
2. (Southern States).—A rude wooden plough.
Goree, subs. (old).—Money;
specifically gold or gold-dust.
From Fort Goree on the Gold
Coast. For synonyms, see Actual
and Gilt.
1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Gorge, subs. (vulgar).—1. A heavy
meal; a tuck-in (q.v.); a
blow-out (q.v.).
1553. Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique, p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be able after a ful gorge.
1883. Daily News, March 24, p. 3, c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes once a week to see whether they are ready for a gorge, and the python has been known to devour eight ducks at one meal, feathers and all, before signifying enough.
2. (theatrical).—A manager; an abbreviation of gorger (q.v.).
Verb (vulgar).—To eat voraciously; also to gulp as a fish does when it swallows (or gorges) a bait. For synonyms, see Wolf.
1572. Satirical Poems, Scottish Text Society, 1889-91, 'Lamentacioun,' ii., 232. Gorged waters ever greater grows.
1633. Massinger, New Way to Pay Old Debts, iii., 2. Mar. Come, have patience If you will dispense a little with your worship, And sit with the waiting women, you'll have dumpling, Woodcock, and butter'd toasts too. Greedy. This revives me: I will gorge there sufficiently.
1654. Chapman, Revenge for Honour, Act i., Sc. 1. Here men o' th' shop can gorge their musty maws With the delicious capon, and fat limbs of mutton.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Gorge (v.), to eat over-much, to cram, glut, or fill unreasonably.
