or gaudy-day, subs. (common).—A feast or entertainment: specifically the annual dinner of the fellows of a college in memory of founders or benefactors; or a festival of the Inns of Court. (Lat. gaudere = to rejoice.)
1721. E. COLES, English Dictionary. GAUDY-DAYS, Colledge or Inns of Court festivals.
1754. B. MARTIN, English Dictionary, 2nd ed. GAUDIES, double commons, such as they have on GAUDY or grand DAYS in colleges.
1760. FOOTE, The Minor, Act i. Dine at twelve, and regale, upon a GAUDY DAY, with buns and beer at Islington.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, p. 122. Cut lectures … give GAUDIES and spreads.
1820. LAMB, The Essays of Elia, ‘Oxford in the Vacation.’ Methought I a little grudged at the coalition of the better Jude with Simon—clubbing (as it were) their sanctities together, to make up one poor GAUDY-DAY between them.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xxiii. We had a carouse to your honour … we fought, too, to finish off the GAUDY.
1878. BESANT and RICE, By Celia’s Arbour, ch. xxxiii. Champagne … goes equally well with a simple luncheon of cold chicken, and with the most elaborate GAUDY.
Adj. (colloquial).—Good; frolicsome; festive. Cf., SHAKESPEARE’S ‘Let’s have one other GAUDY night.’—Antony and Cleopatra, iii. 13.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, p. 176. ‘Yes,’ answered the trainer, slowly, ‘he’s right enough; but a Leger’s a Leger, and I don’t think they are likely to give him a very GAUDY chance.’
NEAT BUT NOT GAUDY, AS THE DEVIL SAID WHEN HE PAINTED HIS BOTTOM PINK, AND TIED UP HIS TAIL WITH PEA-GREEN, phr. (common).—A locution used to ancient ladies dressed in flaming colours.
