Gum-sucker, subs. (Australian).—1. See quot. Cf., Corn-stalk.
1887. All the Year Round, 30 July, p. 67. A gum-sucker is a native of Tasmania, and owes his elegant nickname to the abundance of gum-trees in the Tasmanian forests.
2. (common).—A fool. For synonyms, see Buffle and Cabbage-head.
Gum-tickler, subs. (colloquial).—1.
A drink. Specifically, drop
or short, or a dram. For synonyms,
see Go.
1814. Quarterly Review, vol. X., p. 521. A gill, taken fasting, is called a gum-tickler.
1864. Dickens, Our Mutual Friend, bk. IV., ch. iii. I prefer to take it in the form of a gum-tickler.
2. See Gum-smasher.
Gum-tree. To be up a gum-tree,
verb. phr. (American).—To
be on one's last legs; at the
end of one's rope. 'He has seen
his last gum-tree' = It is all up
with him.
Gun, subs. (old).—1. A lie. New
Cant. Dict., 1725. For synonyms,
see Whopper.
2. (common).—A thief; specifically, a magsman (q.v.) or street-artist. Also Gun-smith and Gunner. Gunning = thieving. [An abbreviation of Gonof (q.v.).] See Area-sneak and Thieves.
1858. A. Mayhew, Paved with Gold, bk. II., ch. i., p. 70. I tell you you ain't a-going to make a gun (thief) of this here young flat.
1868. Temple Bar, xxv., 213. . . . returned to his old trade of gunsmith, gunning being the slang term for thieving, or going on the cross.
1882. Cornhill Mag., p. 649. Flats graft for guns.
1889. Clarkson and Richardson, Police. Gunners and grasshoppers sneak about watching their opportunities.
3. (American).—A revolver. For synonyms, see Meat-in-the Pot.
4. (Irish).—A toddy glass. See In the Gun.
Verb (American).—1. To consider with attention.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Gunned. The copper gunned me as if he was fly to my mug.
2. (American).—To strive hard; to make a violent effort: e.g., to gun a stock = to use every means to produce a 'break'; when supplies are heavy and holders would be unable to resist.
In the Gun, phr. (old).—Drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. Gun, s.v., he's in the gun, he is drunk, perhaps from an allusion to a vessel called a gun, used for ale in the universities.
Son of a Gun. See Son.
Sure as a Gun, phr. (common).—Quite certain; inevitable.
1633. Jonson, Tale of a Tub, ii., 1. 'Tis right; he has spoke as true as a gun, believe it.
1690. B.E., Dict. Cant. Crew.
1694. Congreve, Double Dealer, v., 20. All turned topsy-turvy, as sure as a gun.
1720. Gay, New Song of New Similes. Sure as a gun she'll drop a tear.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, bk. xviii., ch. ix. As sure as a gun I have hit o' the very right o't.
1759. Sterne, Tristran Shandy, vol. vi., ch. xxvi. Think ye not that, in striking these in,—he might, peradventure, strike something out? as sure as a gun.
1825. Egan, Life of an Actor, iv. By gum! he roared out, sir, as sure as a gun.
d. 1842. Father Prout, Reliques, I. 19. 'Vert-Vert, the Parrot.' Scared at the sound,—'Sure as a gun, The bird's a demon!' cried the nun.
