Americanisms, old & new: A dictionary of words, phrases, and colloquialisms peculiar to the United States, British America, the West Indies, &c., &c. ... historical, explanatory, and folk-lore notes

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 Excerpt: ...by a mustache, but only occasionally. It was odd to come upon this thick crop of an obsolete and uncomely fashion; it was like running suddenly across a forgotten acquaintance whom you had supposed dead for a generation.--Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi, p. 213. Goater.--A thief's term for dress. Go-down.--Of squatter origin. A go-down is a cutting in the hilly bank of a stream for enabling animals to cross it or to get to the water. Goldam.--By Goldam --A Yankee form of swearing, as also are Goloarned and Goldasted. 'Bill, are you hurt?' 'Yes, by gum; I've broke my Goldarned neck.'--American Humorist, 18S8. ' Finally Deacon Spalding broke out with: 'That Goldasted St. Louis mugwump has made suckers of us again with his cracks about coming into the league. I move we adjourn.--Cincinnati Enquirer, 1888. Golden Circle.--Knights Of The Golden Circle.--An organization formed among Copperheads (q.v.) at the North during the Civil War, to aid in the rescue of Confederate prisoners held by the United States. Also one of the alleged names of the Ku-KluxKlan. Golden City.--San Francisco, otherwise 'Frisco. Gold having been found in California in large quantities, the sobriquet is not, as sometimes is the case, altogether inappropriate. Gobsticks (Cant).--Under this curious name silver forks and spoons are known. "Gob" in English slang signifies the mouth. A very similar derivative is gobstrings for a bridle. Go-cart.--A hand-cart. Godfathers (Cant).--A flash name for "gentlemen of the jury," because in giving their verdict they name the degree of crime, first, second, third, etc., with which the accused is charged.--See Murder In First Degree. Golden Eye (Bucephala americana).--A wild grey duck, which is more popularly known as the Whistler ...