GRATTE, _f._ (popular), _itch_; _unlawful profits of shopmen on the sale of goods_, something like the “fluff” or profits on short change by railway ticket-clerks; _bonus allowed to shopmen_; ---- couenne, _barber_, “strap;” ---- pavé, _loiterer seeking for a living_, _one_ “on the mouch.” GRATTÉE, _f._ (popular), _blows_, “props.” GRATTE-PAPIER, _m._ (familiar and popular), _clerk_, or “quill-driver;” (military) _non-commissioned officer filling the functions of clerk_. GRATTER (popular), _to shave_; _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Gratter, _to purloin portions of cloth, given for the making of apparel_; _to apprehend_. See PIPER. Gratter le papier, _to write_; _to be a clerk_, or “quill-driver;” ---- la couenne, _to shave_. En ----, _to perform on the dancing-rope_. Les frères qui en grattent, _rope-dancers_. Gratter les pavés, _to lead a life of poverty_. GRATTOIR, GRATON, _m._ (popular), _razor_. Passer au ----, _to get shaved_, or “scraped.” GRAVEUR SUR CUIR, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, “snob.” GRÈCE, _f._ (familiar), _the tribe of card-sharpers_. Tomber dans la ----, _to become a card-sharper_. Vol à la ----, _card swindle_. (Thieves’) Grèce, or soulasse, _swindler who offers one a high profit on the change of gold coins, for which he substitutes base coin when the bargain has been struck_. A variety of the confidence trick. Vidocq thus describes the mode of operating of these gentry. A confederate forms an acquaintance with a farmer or country tradesman on a visit to town. While the new pair of friends are promenading, they are accosted by another confederate, who pretends to be a foreigner, and who exhibits gold coin which he wishes to exchange for silver. Subsequently the three adjourn to a wine-shop, where the pigeon, being entrusted with one of the coins, is requested to have it tested at a changer’s, when he finds it to be genuine. A bargain is soon struck, and, when the thieves have decamped, the victim finds that in exchange for sound silver coin he has received a case full of coppers or gunshot. GRÉCER (thieves’), _to swindle at cards_. From “grec,” card-sharper. GRECQUERIE, _f._ (familiar), _tribe of card-sharpers_. GRÉER (naval), se ----, _to dress oneself_, “to rig oneself out.” GREFFER (popular), _to be hungry_, “to be bandied.” Je greffe, or je déclare, _I am hungry_. (Thieves’) Greffer, _to steal an object by skilfully whisking it up_, “to nip.” GREFFIER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _cat_, or “long-tailed beggar.” From griffe, _claw_. C’est la dabuche Michelon Qu’a pomaqué son greffier, Qui jacte par la venterne Qui le lui refilera, Le dab Lustucru Lui dit: “Dabuch’ Mich’lon, Allez! votre greffier n’est pas pomaqué; Il est dans le roulon, Qui fait la chasse aux tretons, Avec un bagaffre de fertange Et un fauchon de satou.” Popular song of _C’est la mère Michel qui a perdu son chat_, in thieves’ cant, quoted by F. Michel.