1864. Standard, 13 Dec. We do not find … the word gingerbread used for money, as we have heard it both before and within the last six months. The origin of the use of the word may probably be the old fairy legends wherein the coin obtained over night from the elves was usually found in the morning to have turned into little gingerbread cakes.
2. (colloquial).—Brummagem (q.v.); showy, but worthless ware.
Adj. (colloquial).—Showy but worthless; tinsel. Fr., en pain d’épice. Gingerbread work (nautical) = carved and gilded decorations; gingerbread quarters (nautical) = luxurious living.
1757. Smollett, Compendium of Voyages and Travels. The rooms are too small and too much decorated with carving and gilding, which is a kind of gingerbread work.
To take the gilt off the gingerbread. See gilt.
Gingerly, adj. and adv. (old: now recognised).—As adj., delicate; fastidious; dainty; as adv., with great care; softly.
1533. Udal, Floures for Latine Spekynge. We stayghe and prolonge our goyng, with a nyce or tendre and softe, delicate, or gingerly pace.
c. 1563. Jacke Jugeler, p. 40 (ed. Grosart). We used to call her at home Dame Coye, a pretie gingerlie pice [piece].
1592. Nashe, Pierce Penilesse, in Wks., ii., 32. That lookes as simperingly as if she were besmeared, and sits it as gingerly as if she were dancing the Canaries.
1611. Chapman, May-Day, Act iii., p. 294 (Plays, 1874). Come, come, gingerly; for God’s sake, gingerly.