Grass-comber, subs. (nautical).—A countryman shipped as a sailor.
1886. W. Besant, World Went Very Well Then, ch. xxix. Formerly, Jack would have replied to this sally that, d’ye see, Luke was a grass comber and a land swab, but that for himself, there was no tea aboard ship, and a glass of punch or a bowl of flip was worth all the tea ever brought from China.
Grasser, subs. (sporting).—A fall.
Grasshopper, subs. (common).—1. A waiter at a tea-garden.
2. (rhyming).—A policeman, or copper (q.v.).
3. (thieves’).—A thief. See Gunner.
1893. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 Jan., p. 4., c. 3. Quite a ‘school’ of youthful grasshoppers are in possession of one corner of the ice, but on the Westminster side of the park ’pon bridge there is a good sprinkling of old hands.
Grassing, subs. (printers’).—Casual work away from the office. See Smouting.
Grassville, subs. (old).—The country; cf., Daisyville.
Grass-widow, subs. (old).—1. An unmarried mother; a deserted mistress. See Barrack-hack and Tart.