1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. [[145]]
1882. McCabe, New York, ch. xxxiv., 509. Gilt-dubber, a hotel thief.
3. (thieves’).—Formerly a pick-lock or skeleton key; now a crow-bar. For synonyms, see Jemmy.
1671. R. Head, English Rogue, Pt. 1, ch. v., p. 50 (1874). Gilt, a pick-lock.
1724. E. Coles, Eng. Dict. Gilt, c. a pick-lock.
1839. W. H. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard, p. 183 (ed. 1840). We shall have the whole village upon us while you’re striking the jigger. Use the gilt, man!
To take the gilt off the gingerbread, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To destroy an illusion; to discount heavily.
1884. Hawley Smart, From Post to Finish, p. 171. You see we had a rattling good year all round last, bar the Dancing Master. He took the gilt off the gingerbread considerably.
Gilt-dubber, see gilt, sense 2.
Gilt-edged, adj. (American).—First-class; the best of its kind; a latter-day superlative. For synonyms, see A1 and Fizzing.