A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words / Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

by John Camden Hotten

GATTER, beer; “shant of GATTER,” a pot of beer. A curious street melody, brimful and running over with slang, known in Seven Dials as Bet, the Coaley’s Daughter, thus mentions the word in a favourite verse:—

“But when I strove my flame to tell

Says she, ‘Come, stow that patter,’

If you’re a cove wot likes a gal

Vy don’t you stand some GATTER?

In course I instantly complied—

Two brimming quarts of porter,

With four goes of gin beside,

Drained Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”

GAWFS, cheap red-skinned apples, a favourite fruit with costermongers, who rub them well with a piece of cloth, and find ready purchasers.