subs. (vulgar).—1. A voracious eater; a SCRUNCHER (q.v.). ROTTEN GORGER = a lad who hangs about Covent Garden eating refuse fruit.
2. (common).—A well-dressed man; a gentleman. [Gypsy, gorgio = gentlemen.] Fr., un gratiné.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Mung the GORGER; beg child beg, of the gentleman.
3. (common).—An employer; a principal: especially the manager of a theatre. [Perhaps because he takes (or gorges) all the FAT (q.v.).] Also CULLY-GORGER. Fr., amendier.
1872. M. E. BRADDON, Dead-Sea Fruit, ch. xiv. The GORGER’S awful coally on his own slumming, eh?… I mean to say that our friend the manager is rather sweet upon his own acting.
4. (old).—A neckerchief. [From gorge = throat.]
1320–30. Gawaine, 957. Þat oþer wyth a GORGER watz gered ouer þe swyre.
