ALLON
From the Fr. galonner, to make tight. Note, one is
sufficient.
GALLANTRY This word is now almost obsolete. It was formerly
employed to express a deferential attention on the part of the man
who in a crowded car gave up his seat to the ladies.
GAMBLER From the Grk. gumnos, stripped to the skin. And the
gambler's the one that does it.
GARDEN From the Fr. garantir, to make good. Hence, a place where
lovers make good.
GARLIC From Grk. gar, for, and Lat. liceor, to bid. Good for the
biddies.
GEM A breakfast muffin. With the newly married, syn. for "a
precious stone."
GERM A bit of animal life living in water.
GERMAN
More animal life, living on beer.
GIRAFFE The champion rubber-neck of the world, and the longest
thirst on record.
GLOBE An all-round proposition which has furnished its
shareholders a living for several thousand years, though its stock
is two-thirds water.
GOAT The honored founder and oldest inhabitant of Harlem, N. Y.
Elsewhere, not in good odor.
GOLF An excuse for carrying unconcealed weapons and a Scotch
breath.
GONDOLA A pleasure craft which plies in Venice, at World's Fairs
and other popular watering places. From Eng. gone, and Lat. dolor,
sadness, or Eng. dollar. Sadness gone; also, a gone dollar.
GORE Blood. Shed daily in Chicago abattoirs but never spilled in
French duels.
GOSSIP Derived either from the Grk. gups, vulture, or Fr. gosier,
wind-pipe. Hence, a vulture that tears its prey to bits, or an
exercise of the wind-pipe from which every victim gets a blow.
GOUT The undesirable scion of High Living, which frequent the
lowest joints and is mentioned only in the Invalid's Foot-Notes.
GOWN From Lat. gaudium, joy. A thing of beauty and a joy forever;
if from Paris, generally an article of some Worth.
GUNPOWDER A black substance much employed in marking the boundary
lines of nations.
GUM A substance for sticking.
GUM-GAME A game in which some one is stuck.
GUTTER A school in which we may study the dregs of humanity or
read the reflection of the stars.