1892. Hume Nisbet, Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes; when I saw I was in for it, I told them my name and all about my father without any reserve; that, with a little gospel-gab and howling penitence, got the church people interested in me, and so I was let off easily.
Gospel-Grinder (-postillion, -sharp, or -shark), subs. (common).—A clergyman or missionary. For synonyms, see devil-dodger and sky-pilot;—
French Synonyms.—La forêt noire (thieves’ = the black forest); une entonne ramparte (thieves’); entonner = to intone; une antiffle (thieves’); une cavée (thieves’ = a black hole); une chique (thieves’).
Spanish Synonym.—Salud.
Italian Synonyms.—Balza; balzana.
1869. S. L. Clemens, Innocents at Home, p. 19. ‘A what!’ ‘Gospel-sharp—parson.’ ‘Oh! why did you not say so before? I am a clergyman—a parson.’
1877. Besant and Rice, Golden Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as stagnant as a Connecticut Gospel-grinder in his village location.
Gospeller, subs. (colloquial).—An Evangelist preacher; in contempt. Also Hot-gospeller (= a preaching fanatic.)
Gospel-mill (or -shop), subs. (common).—A church or chapel. Also schism-shop and doxology-works (q.v.).
1782. Geo. Parker, Humorous Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Romaine to Pope John range; Each Gospel-shop ringing a daily change.