Gaelic. See “[Caledonia].”
Gaff. See “[Penny Gaff].”
Gaffer. Provincial for an old man; a corruption of “grandfather.”
Gag. An actor’s interpolation of catch phrases at his own sweet will. Originally, however, gagging was a device to disconcert or stop the mouth of another actor by the unexpected employment of words not in the text of the play.
Gallivanting. An old English word for “doing the agreeable.” Its derivation is clearly traceable to “gallant” and “gallantry.”
Galoshes. From the Spanish galocha, a patten or wooden shoe.
Galvanism. After Luigi Galvani, the eminent physician of Bologna in the eighteenth century, the discoverer of electrical currents produced by chemical agency.
Gamboge. Brought from Cambogia in Siam.
Gamp. After Mrs Gamp in “Martin Chuzzlewit,” who never went abroad without her fat, pawky umbrella, and when at home gave it an honoured position by the side of the fireplace. Charles Dickens must have had the town of Guingamp in his mind when he invented Mrs Gamp. See “[Gingham].”
Gander Party. An Americanism for a social party composed of men only.