or good boy, good man, subs. (old).—1. A roysterer; a boon companion.
1570. ASCHAM, The Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been a GOOD FELLOW in his youth.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. GOOD FELLOW, a Pot companion or Friend of the Bottle.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports, according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer; at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though but rarely, a virtuous man.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is a GOOD BOY.
2. (old).—A thief. See THIEVES.
1608. MIDDLETON, A Trick to Catch the Old One, ii., 1. Luc. Welcome, GOOD FELLOW. Host. He calls me thief at first sight. [Footnote in ‘Mermaid Series’ Ed. GOOD FELLOW was then the cant term for a thief.]
1870. Evening Standard, 11 Feb. ‘Police Report.’ Police detective said that he believed the two prisoners were GOOD MEN. In reply to the magistrate he explained that he meant they were old thieves.
