subs. (vulgar).—1. The mouth; also GOB. For synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1785. BURNS, The Jolly Beggars.
| And aye he gies the touzie drab | |
| The tither skelpin kiss, | |
| While she held up her greedy GAB, | |
| Just like an aumos dish. |
1820. SCOTT, The Abbot, ch. xiv. ‘And now, my mates,’ said the Abbot of Unreason, ‘once again digut your GABS and be hushed—let us see if the Cock of Kennaguhair will fight or flee the pit.’
1890. Rare Bits, 12 April, p. 347. ‘Clap a stopper on your GAB and whack up, or I’ll let ’er speak!’
2. (vulgar).—Talk; idle babble. Also GABB, GABBER, and GABBLE.
1712. Spectator, No. 389. Having no language among them but a confused GABBLE, which is neither well understood by themselves or others.
1811. POOLE, Hamlet Travestie, i., 3. Then hold your GAB, and hear what I’ve to tell.
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, ch. xxxiv. ‘Stash your GAB,’ said Mr. Green, roughly.
1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. 111. Gladstone’s GAB about ‘masses and classes’ is all tommy rot.
Verb (vulgar: O. E., and now preserved in GABBLE).—To talk fluently; to talk brilliantly; to lie.
1383. CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, ‘The Nonne Preestes Tale,’ 1652. I GABBE nought, so have I joye or blis.
1402. [? T. OCCLEVE], The Letter of Cupid, in Arber’s Garner, vol. IV., p. 59.
| A foul vice it is of tongue to be light. | |
| For whoso mochil clappeth, gabbeth oft. |
1601. SHAKESPEARE, Twelfth Night, ii. 3. Mal. … Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to GABBLE like tinkers at this time of night.
1663. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. I., canto i., 101.
| Which made some think, when he did GABBLE, | |
| Th’ had heard three labourers of Babel. |
1786. BURNS, The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer, st. 10.
| But could I like Montgomeries fight, | |
| Or GAB like Boswell. |
1880. G. R. SIMS, Zeph and Other Stories, ch. vii. An elderly clergyman … GABBLED the funeral service as though he were calling back an invoice at a draper’s entering desk.
1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. 111. Gals do like a chap as can GAB.
GIFT OF THE GAB (or GOB), subs. phr. (colloquial).—The gift of conversation; the talent for speech. Fr., n’avoir pas sa langue dans sa poche.
d. 1653. Z. BOYD, Book of Job, quoted in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, s.v., ‘GAB.
| There was a good man named Job, | |
| Who lived in the land of Uz, | |
| He had a good gift of the GOB, | |
| The same thing happened us. |
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. GIFT OF THE GOB, a wide, open Mouth; also a good Songster, or Singing-master.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1820. SHELLEY, Œdipus Tyrannus, Act I.
| You, Purganax, who have the GIFT O’ THE GAB, | |
| Make them a solemn speech. |
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. xliii. And we’ll have a big-wig, Charley: one that’s got the greatest GIFT OF THE GAB: to carry on his defence.
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I., 250. People reckon me one of the best patterers in the trade. I’m reckoned to have the gift—that is, THE GIFT OF THE GAB.
1869. WHYTE-MELVILLE, M. or N., p. 29. I’ve GOT THE GIFT OF THE GAB, I know, and I stick at nothing.
1870. London Figaro, 18 Sept. ‘Of all gifts possessed by man,’ said George Stephenson, the engineer, to Sir William Follett, ‘there is none like the GIFT OF THE GAB.’
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 193. Others, although they have the GIFT OF THE GAB when they are on the ground, as soon as they mount the cart, are dumbfounded.
TO BLOW THE GAB, verb. phr. (vulgar).—To inform; TO PEACH (q.v.). Also TO BLOW THE GAFF (q.v.).
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk. III., ch. 5. Never BLOW THE GAB or squeak.
TO FLASH THE GAB, verb. phr. (common).—TO SHOW OFF (q.v.) in talk; cf., AIR ONE’S VOCABULARY.
1819. T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, p. 2.
| While his Lordship, as usual, that very great dab | |
| At the flowers of rhet’ric, is FLASHING HIS GAB. |
