Got out of Bed the wrong Way. From the old superstition that planting the left foot on the ground first on rising in the morning was a harbinger of ill luck for the day.
Government Stock. The origin of the word Stock is interesting. Down to the year 1782, when the practice was abolished, public money invested in Government securities was acknowledged on the two opposite ends of a piece of wood called a stock, from the Anglo-Saxon stocc, a trunk. The stock was then cut in two, one portion being handed to the investor and the other consigned to the Tally Office.
Gower Street. After the name of the builder on this portion of the Bedford estate.
Gowk. The Scottish equivalent for an “April Fool,” signifying a foolish person.
Gracechurch Street. From the herb market anciently held around the Church of St Benet, called the Grass Church. This edifice has in modern times been pulled down, and the money realised for the site devoted to the erection of a new St Benet’s in the Mile End Road.
Gramercy. From grand merci, “great thanks,” a phrase introduced when French was the language of the Court.
Granby Street. In honour of John Manners, Marquis of Granby, whose name is also perpetuated by many a tavern sign.
Grand Hotel. Not in the sense of magnificence, but true to the French meaning of the word “great”; hence Grand Theatre, the Grand Tour, and the Grand Canal at Venice.
Grand Old Man. The name applied by Mr Labouchere to Mr W. E. Gladstone on the occasion of Mr Bradlaugh’s expulsion from the House after his election for Northampton because he refused to take the oath in the prescribed manner. Referring to a conversation in the tea-room Mr Labouchere said: “I told some friends that before I left Mr Gladstone came to me, and that grand old man, with tears in his eyes, took me by the hands, and said: ‘Mr Labouchere, bring me Mr Bradlaugh back again.’”
Grand Tour. More than a hundred years ago each of the sons of gentlemen in their turn made the Grand or Extended Tour through France, Germany, and Italy, just as nowadays daughters are presented at Court as a preliminary to moving in fashionable society.