1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 91, c. 2. Fanny Robinson was flighty; she played the giddy ox—I mean heifer.
Giffle-gaffle, subs. (old).—Nonsense; a variant of gibble-gabble (q.v.).
1787. Grose, Prov. Glossary. Giff-gaff, unpremeditated discourse.
Gif-gaf (or Giff-gaff), subs. (Scots’).—A bargain on equal terms. Whence the proverb: Gif-gaf maks guid friens. Fr.: Passe-moi la casse et je t’enverrai la senne.
Gift, subs. (colloquial).—1. Anything, lightly gained or easily won.
2. (common).—A white speck on the finger nails, supposed to portend a gift.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
3. (printers’).—See Gift-house.
As full of gifts as a brazen horse of farts, phr. (old).—Mean; miserly; disinclined to part (q.v.).
1811 Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.