1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hold. Hold his nose to the grindstone, to keep him Under, or Tie him Neck and Heels in a Bargain.
To have the grindstone on his back, verb. phr. (common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—Grose.
Grinning-stitches, subs. (milliners’).—Slovenly sewing; stitches wide apart; ladders (q.v.).
Grip (or Gripsack), subs. (American).—A hand-bag or satchell.
To lose one’s grip, verb. phr. (American).—To fail; to lose one’s control.
Gripe, subs. (old).—1. A miser; a usurer. Also Griper or Gripe-fist (q.v.). For synonyms, see Hunks and Sixty-per-cent. Griping = extortion.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew. Gripe, or griper, s.v. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.
2. in. pl. (colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; the Collywobbles. For synonyms, see Jerry-go-nimble.
1684. Bunyan, Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of the gripes.
1705. Char. of a Sneake, in Harl. Misc. (ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms but semper eadem gives him the gripes.