1862. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, ch. lx. She is a good young woman, and a honest young woman in her way, and what she says this night about her brother is gospel-truth.
1864. Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently unable to resist the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a tone which carried the impress of veracity with it, 'Gospel.'
1891. N. Gould, Double Event, p. 175. It was true as gospel.
To do gospel, verb. phr. (common).—To go to church.
Gospel-gab, subs. (common).—Insincere
talk concerning religion;
cant.
1892. Hume Nisbet, Bushranger's Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a little gospel-gab and howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.
Gospel-Grinder (-postillion,
-sharp, or -shark), subs.
(common).—A clergyman or
missionary. For synonyms, see
devil-dodger and sky-pilot;—
French Synonyms.—La forêt noire (thieves' = the black forest); une entonne ramparte (thieves'); entonner = to intone); une antiffle (thieves'); une cavée (thieves' = a black hole); une chique (thieves').
Spanish Synonym.—Salud.
Italian Synonyms.—Balza; balzana.
1869. S. L. Clemens, Innocents at Home, p. 19. 'A what!' 'Gospel-sharp—parson.' 'Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.'
1877. Besant and Rice, Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a Connecticut Gospel-grinder in his village location.
Gospeller, subs. (colloquial).—An
Evangelist preacher; in contempt.
Also Hot-gospeller
= a preaching fanatic.)
Gospel-mill (or -shop), subs.
(common).—A church or chapel.
Also schism-shop and doxology-works
(q.v.).
1782. Geo. Parker, Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; Each Gospel-shop ringing a daily change.
1791. Life of J. Lackington, Letter xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging and work my next enquiry was for Mr. Wesley's Gospel-shops.
1852. Judson, Mysteries of New York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about that ere gospel-shop as you was agoin for to crack last week.
1869. S. L. Clemens (Mark Twain) Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you the duck that runs the gospel-mill next door.
1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, p. 35. It's all gospel-shop gruel.
Goss (or Gossamer), subs. (common).—A
hat. (At first a make
of peculiar lightness called a
four-and-nine(q.v.).) In quot.
1836 = a white hat. For synonyms,
see Golgotha.
1836. Dickens, Pickwick, ch. xii. 'That's one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that's another—wentilation gossamer I calls it.' On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.
1838. Jas. Grant, Sketches in London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger inquired whether the hat was 'a vashing beaver von?' while a fourth inquired whether it was 'a gossamer ventilator?'
1851. H. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. I have sold hats from 6d. to 3s. 6d., but very seldom 3s. 6d. The 3s. 6d. ones would wear out two new gossamers, I know.
1884. A. Lang, Much Darker Days, p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there all battered and crushed on the white snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan! . . . who else would wear the gay gossamer of July in stormy December?
