To proceed. Also go-ahead as adj., developing into go-aheadative, go-aheadativeness, &c.
1835. [He] buys land and negroes, and, in the strong phraseology of Crockett, “goes ahead.”—Ingraham, ‘The South-West,’ ii. 94.
1836. Now Jumble, ‘go ahead.’—Yale Lit. Mag., ii. 49 (Nov.).
1838. [It] could go backwards like a crab, as well as ahead like Crockett.—‘Harvardiana,’ iv. 235.
1840. Ours are a going-ahead sort of people, always on a gallop, and have at all times more things upon their hands than forty times their number could execute.—Mr. Sevier of Arkansas in the U.S. Senate, Feb. 20: Congressional Globe, p. 186, Appendix.
1855. A favorable opportunity opens for the natural activity and go-aheadativeness of our American business men.—N.Y. Times, May 17 (Bartlett).
1858. In our opinion, America is a dashing, go-ahead, and highly progressive country.—Philadelphia Press, July 24 (Bartlett).
1866. A real go-ahead sort of a fellow as ever I met with; does more more business in one day than some folks would do in a year.—Seba Smith, ‘’Way Down East,’ p. 239.
1868. Go ahead is of American origin, and is used by Americans in cases where the British would say “all right.”—‘Nat. Encycl.,’ i. 618. (N.E.D.)
1869. The go-aheadativeness of the inhabitants [of Chicago] is only equalled by the go-aheadativeness of the buildings.—H. Deedes, ‘Ten Months in America,’ p. 60. (N.E.D.)
