1704. Gentleman Instructed, p. 445 (1732). We will commit the further discussion of the poet to a committee of goldfinders, or a club of rake-kennels.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
2. (old).—A thief; a gold-dropper (q.v.).
Gold Hat-band, subs. (old University).—A nobleman undergraduate; a tuft (q.v.).
1628. Earle, Microcosmography. His companion is ordinarily some stale fellow that has been notorious for an ingle to gold hatbands, whom hee admires at first, afterwards scornes.
1889. Gentleman’s Mag., June, p. 598. Noblemen at the universities, since known as ‘tufts,’ because of the gold tuft or tassle to their cap, were then known as gold hatbands.
Goldie-locks, subs. (old).—A flaxen-haired woman. Goldy-locked = golden haired.
1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes. Biondella … a golden-lockt wench, as we say a goldilocks.
1605. Ben Jonson, The Fox, i., 1. Thence it fled forth, and made quick transmigration to goldy-locked Euphorbus.
Gold Mine, subs. phr. (common).—A profitable investment; a store of wealth, material or intellectual.