Groller (popular), to growl, to grumble. Properly to croak. From the word grolle, used by Rabelais with the signification of crow.
Gromiau, m. (popular), child, “kid.” Termed also “gosse, loupiau.”
Grondin, m. (thieves’), pig, “sow’s baby,” or “grunting cheat.”
Gros, adv. and adj. (popular), coucher —— (obsolete), to utter some enormity. Gâcher du ——, to ease oneself. See [Mouscailler]. Gros cul, prosperous rag-picker; —— lot, venereal disease; (familiar and popular) —— bonnet, influential man; high official, “big-wig;” —— numéro, brothel, or “nanny-shop.” An establishment of that description has a number of large dimensions placed over the front door, and window panes whitewashed. (Thieves’) Artie de —— Guillaume, brown bread. The expression, “du gros Guillaume,” was formerly used by the Parisians.
On appelle du gros Guillaume, du pain destiné, dans les maisons de campagne, pour la nourriture des valets de cour.—Du gros Guillaume, mot Parisien, pour dire du pain bis, du gros pain de ménage, tel que le mangent les paysans.—Le Roux, Dict. Comique.
(Military) Gros bonnet, officer of high rank, “bloke;” —— frères, —— lolos, or —— talons, the cuirassiers; —— légumes, field-officers. A play on the words “épaulettes à graines d’épinards,” the insignia of such officers. The word gros, considered as the masculine of “grosse,” synonymous of “enceinte,” was formerly used with the signification of impatient, longing, alluding to the uncontrollable desires which are sometimes manifested by women in a state of pregnancy. Thus people would express their eagerness by such ridiculous phrases as, “Je suis gros de vous voir, de boire avec vous, de le connaître.”
Grosse, adj. f. (popular), caisse, the body, or “apple cart;” —— cavalerie, staff of scavengers, or “rake kennels,” an allusion to their big boots; —— culotte, drunkard. (Convicts’) Grosse cavalerie, scum of the hulks, desperate scoundrels; and, in theatrical language, supernumeraries of the ballet. (Tramcar conductors’) Aller voir les grosses têtes, to drive the first morning car to Bineau, this part of Paris being inhabited by substantial people.
Grossiot, m. (popular), person of good standing, a “swell.”
Grotte, f. (thieves’), the hulks. Gerbé à la ——, sentenced to transportation, or “lagged.” Aller à la ——, to be transported, “to lump the lighter.”
Grouchy, m. (printers’), petit ——, one who is late; small job, the composition of which has been delayed. An allusion to the alleged tardiness of General Grouchy at Waterloo.