Gail, subs. (old).—A horse. For synonyms, see Prad. [[101]]
Gaily-like, adj. (American).—Showy; expensive: bang-up (q.v.).
1872. Clemens (Mark Twain), Undertaker’s Chat. Now, you know how difficult it is to roust out such a gaily-like thing as that in a little one-horse town like this.
Gain-pain, subs. (old).—A sword; specifically, in the Middle Ages, that of a hired soldier. [From Fr., gagner = to gain + pain = bread. Cf., Breadwinner (prostitutes’) and Potboiler (artists’).] For synonyms, see Cheese-toaster and Poker.
Gait, subs. (colloquial).—Walk in life; profession; mode of making a living; game (q.v.).
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum. ‘I say, Tim, what’s your gait now?’ ‘Why, you see, I’m on the crack’ (burglary).
Gaiters, subs. (American colloquial).—Half boots; shoes.
Gal, subs. (common).—1. A girl; a servant-maid; a sweetheart. Best girl = favourite flame.
2. (common).—A prostitute. For synonyms, see Barrack-hack and Tart.
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, I., p. 535. Upon the most trivial offence in this respect, or on the suspicion of an offence, the gals are sure to be beaten cruelly and savagely by their ‘chaps.’