1876. Trevelyan, Life of Macaulay (1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos of 1822 made its appearance, his name did not grace the list. In short … Macaulay was gulfed.
1852. Bristed, Five Years in an English University, p. 297. I discovered that my name was nowhere to be found—that I was gulfed.
Gulf-spin, subs. (American cadet).—A rascal; a worthless fellow; a beat (q.v.) a shyster (q.v.).
Gull, subs. (old, now recognised).—1. A ninny. For synonyms, see Buffle and Cabbage-head.
1596. Sir J. Davies, Book of Epigrams. A gull is he who feares a velvet gowne, And when a wench is brave dares not speak to her; A gull is he which traverseth the towne, And is for marriage known a common wooer; A gull is he, which while he proudly weares A silver-hilted rapier by his side. Indures the lye and knockes about the eares, While in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But to define a gull in termes precise—A gull is he which seems, and is not, wise.
1598. Florio, A World of Wordes, passim.
1609. Jonson, Case is Altered, iv., 3. Jun. Tut, thou art a goose to be Cupid’s gull.
1609. Shakspeare, Timon of Athens. Lord Timon will be left a naked gull. Which flashes now a phœnix.
1614. Overbury, Characters. ‘A Roaring Boy.’ He cheats young guls that are newly come to town.
1618. Rowlands, Night Raven, p. 28 (H. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses where base cheaters vse, And note what gulls (to worke vpon) they chuse.