Grisette. A generic name for a Parisian shop or work girl, from the gris, or grey cloth, which was at one time generally worn by the inferior classes in France.
Grocer. A term derived from the same root as Gross, “the great hundred,” and applied to a provision dealer who in former times was the only trader rejoicing in the monopoly of dealing in large quantities.
Grocery. An Americanism for a grocer’s store or shop. Also used in the plural sense for commodities dealt in by a grocer; corresponding to our “groceries.”
Grog. The name originally given by the sailors under Admiral Edward Vernon to the rum diluted with water he served out to them on board ship. They called him “Old Grog” because he always appeared on deck in a long grogram cloak when the weather was “dirty.”
Groggery. An Americanism for a “grog shop” where spirituous liquors only are purveyed; answering to our “Gin Palace.”
Grosvenor Square. The centre of the London estate of the Grosvenor family. Sir Richard Grosvenor was Grand Cup-bearer to George II. The word Grosvenor is Norman-French--i.e. Le Gros Veneur, “the chief hunter.”
Groundlings. The common spectators at the plays referred to by Hamlet in his “Advice to the Players.” The earliest London playhouses were the inn-yards, whose galleries corresponded to our box tiers, while the yard itself was given up to the audience generally.
Growler. A four-wheeled cab, so called from the surly manners of the driver. Since the advent of the “Hansom” his vehicle is rarely in request, save when the “fare” has much luggage to convey to a railway station or when a patient is being driven to the hospital.
Guadalquiver. From the Arabic Wad-al-Kebir, “great river.”
Guildford Street. After Francis North, Lord Keeper, who resided in it.