Guildhall. The Hall of the City Guilds. The old word Guild expressed the fee paid for membership in an association of artisans; from the Anglo-Saxon gild, money, gildan, to pay.
Guinea. A West African term for “abounding in gold.” The English coin of this name was first struck in 1663 out of gold brought from the coast of Guinea.
Guinea Fowl. Originally brought from Guinea, West Africa.
Guinea Pig. A South American rodent, somewhat resembling a pig. Its name is a corruption of Guiana pig.
Gulf of Carpentaria. Discovered by Captain Carpenter, a Dutch navigator, in 1606.
Gulf States. Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas--all bordering on the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Stream. The warm equatorial waters of the Amazon River, which, after coursing round the coasts of South America and the Gulf of Mexico, make their way across the Atlantic, direct for the British Isles and Norway. This ocean stream, never less than forty miles in breadth, is distinguished by a deep indigo colour.
Gunnersbury. The name of a Saxon village, after the Lady Gunylda, a niece of King Canute, who took up her residence here while England was under the sway of the Danes.
Gutta-percha. A Malay term, gutta, gum, and percha, the tree which provides it.
Gutter Lane. A corruption of “Gutheron Lane,” from a Danish burgher who resided in it.