subs. (common).—1. Spectacles. For synonyms, see BARNACLES.
1848. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), in Letter to J. C. H. GIG-LAMPS (certainly a university term. I first heard it in 1848 or 1849, long before Mr. Verdant Green was born or thought of).
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ii. 140. You with the GIGLAMPS, throw us your cigar.
1887. Punch, 30 July, p. 45. Jack’s a straw-thatched young joker in GIG-LAMPS.
1892. T. A. GUTHRIE (‘F. Anstey’), Voces Populi. ‘At the Tudor Exhibition,’ p. 7. Stop, though, suppose she has spotted me? Never can tell with GIGLAMPS.
2. (common).—One who wears spectacles; a FOUR EYES (q.v.). [Popularised by Verdant Green.]
