Grays, or Scotch grays, lice. These pretty little things are called by many names, among others by those of GRAY-BACKS, and GOLD-BACKED UNS, which are popular among those who have most interest in the matter.
Grease spot, a minute remnant, humorously the only distinguishable remains of an antagonist after a terrific contest.
Greasing, bribing. Sometimes called “GREASING the palm” of a man’s hand.
Grecian bend, modern milliner slang for an exaggerated bustle, the effect of which is generally assisted by unnaturally high-heeled boots.
Greek, a wide-awake fellow, a sharper.
Greek kalends, an expression signifying an indefinite period; never. Term used in making promises never intended to be carried out. The Greeks had no KALENDS.
Greeks, the low Irish. St. Giles’s Greek, slang or cant language. Cotgrave gives merrie Greek as a definition for a roystering fellow, a drunkard. The Greeks have always been regarded as a jolly, luxurious race; so much so, that the Latins employed the verb Græcari (lit. to play the Greek) to designate fine living and free potations, a sense in which Horace frequently uses it; while Shakspeare often mentions the merry Greeks; and “as merry as a grig” (or Greek) was long a favourite allusion in old English authors. It is said by some that grig is in this sense intended to represent the small eel of that name which from its lively movements is supposed to be always merry; while others incline to the belief that the cricket, which is also in some parts of the provinces known as a grig, is meant. Readers may take their choice.
Green, ignorant, not wide-awake, inexperienced.—Shakspeare. “Do you see any GREEN in my eye?” ironical question in a dispute.
Greenbacks, the paper money issued in the United States during the war. The term was at first applied only to the notes for small amounts, which were backed with green, but eventually the one word represented all descriptions of what is now known in America as “currency.”
Green-horn, a fresh, simple, or uninitiated person.