1890. Punch, 30 Aug., p. 97. Mug’s game! They’ll soon find as the Marsters ain’t going to be worried and welched.
1891. J. Newman, Scamping Tricks, p. 46. She knew how to work the game of fascination right.
1892. R. L. Stevenson and L. Osbourne, The Wrecker, p. 349, ‘It was the thing in your times, that’s right enough; but you’re old now, and the game’s up.’
Adj. (old).—1. Plucky; enduring; full of spirit and bottom (q.v.). [Cock-pit and pugilists’. The word may be said to have passed into the language with the rise to renown of Harry Pearce, surnamed the Game Chicken.]
1747. Capt. Godfrey, Science of Defence, p. 64. Smallwood (a boxer) is thorough game, with judgment equal to any, and superior to most.
1819. Moore, Tom Crib’s Memorial, p. 57. Pitying raised from earth the game old man.
1821. P. Egan, Tom and Jerry (ed. 1891), p. 38. Tom, however, was too game to acknowledge any sort of alarm at this slight visitation.
1823. E. Kent, Mod. Flash Dict. Game, s.v. Sturdy, hardy, hardened.
1827. Reynolds, Peter Corcoran, The Fancy. ‘The Field of Tothill.’ The highest in the fancy—all the game ones, Who are not very much beneath her weight.
1855. A. Trollope, The Warden, ch. viii. He was a most courageous lad, game to the backbone.