Girton Girl. A student of Girton College, Cambridge.
Give him Beans. An expression derived from a French proverb: “If he gives me peas I will give him beans”--i.e. I will be quits with him.
Give him plenty of Rope. Let him do just what he thinks is best, and everything will come out right in the end. Following in your train, and, metaphorically, attached to your rope, the longer the rope the wider will be the sweep he can command; he can always be pulled in when it becomes necessary to check his movements.
Given Name. An Americanism for a Christian or forename.
Gives himself Airs. One who assumes a manner out of keeping with his social position. “Air” was formerly synonymous with deportment.
Give up the Ghost. Literally to yield up the Spirit.
Gladiator. From the Latin gladius, a sword. A slave trained to defend himself with a short sword in the mortal combats of the Roman arena for the amusement of the Emperors and the populace.
Glad Rags. An Americanism for holiday clothes or festive garments.
Gladstone Bag. So called in compliment to Mr W. E. Gladstone when, as leader of the Liberal Government, his name was “familiar in men’s mouths as household words.”
Glamorgan. From Gwlad-Margam, “the territory of Margam,” a Welsh chieftain of the tenth century. His name is correctly preserved in Margam Abbey.