1865. H. Kingsley, Hillyars and the Burtons, ch. lxii. Lay on like old gooseberry.
1892. Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We all know his capacity for playing old goosberry with things in general.
Gooseberry-eyed, adj. (old).—Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).
Gooseberry-grinder, subs. (old).—The breech. For synonyms, see Monocular eyeglass.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. Gooseberry-grinder, s.v. Ask Bogey the gooseberry-grinder, ask mine a——e.
Gooseberry Lay, subs. phr. (thieves’).—Stealing linen from a line.
Gooseberry-picker, subs. (colloquial).—1. A person whose labour profits, and is credited to, another; a ghost (q.v.). [[184]]
2. (common).—A chaperon. See Gooseberry, subs. sense 2.
1884. Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578. The good host experienced the sensations of being gooseberry-picker. He sat under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the convent.
Gooseberry-pudding, subs. (rhyming).—A woman. For synonyms, see Petticoat.