1703. Ward, London Spy, pt. xii., p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher’s goose.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Goose (s.) … also the large, heavy iron used by taylors, to press down their seams with when heated very hot.
1766. Kenrick, Falstaff’s Wedding, iii., 1. Although they had been hissing all the way like a tailor’s goose.
1861. Sala, Twice Round the Clock, Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has had a slight dispute with his wife the night before, and has corporeally chastised her with a hot goose—a tailor’s goose, be it understood—to the extent of all but fracturing her skull.
1877. Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the warders from their own breakfast, the tools—scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, or geese—are served out.
2. (common).—A simpleton: usually only of women. Also Goosecap (q.v.).
1591. Shakspeare, Romeo and Juliet, ii., 4. Mercutio. Was I there with you for the goose? Rom. Thou wast never with me that thou wast not for the goose.
1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
3. (venery).—See Winchester Goose.
4. (colloquial).—A reprimand; a wigging (q.v.); cf., verb, sense 1.