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

Randall’s Diary, 1820.

GIGLAMPS, spectacles. In my first edition I stated this to be a University term. Mr. Cuthbert Bede, however, in a communication to Notes and Queries, of which I have availed myself in the present edition, says—“If the compiler has taken this epithet from Verdant Green, I can only say that I consider the word not to be a ‘University’ word in general, but as only due to the inventive genius of Mr. Bouncer in particular.” The term, however, has been adopted, and is now in general use.

GILL, a homely woman; “Jack and GILL,” &c.—Ben Jonson.

GILLS, the lower part of the face.—Bacon. “To grease one’s GILLS,” “to have a good feed,” or make a hearty meal.

GILLS, shirt collars.

GILT, money. German, GELD; Dutch, GELT.

GIMCRACK, a bijou, a slim piece of mechanism. Old slang for “a spruce wench.”—N. Bailey.

GIN AND GOSPEL GAZETTE, the Morning Advertiser, so called from its being the organ of the dissenting party, and of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association. Sometimes termed the TAP TUB, or the ’TIZER.

GINGER, a showy, fast horse—as if he had been FIGGED with GINGER under his tail.

GINGERLY, to do anything with great care.—Cotgrave.