FRIAR RUSH, the principal character in a popular folk-lore story translated from the German. The devil, in friar's garb, seeking to corrupt a convent of monks by delicious fare, assumes human shape, knocks at the door, and is admitted as cook's boy. A favourable opportunity enabling him to dispose of his chief in a boiling cauldron, he is appointed to his place. The virtue of the convent is now at his mercy: the monks forget prayer and fasting over Ruus' exquisite cookery. Strife and wantonness creep in, and the monks are all but lost, when a peasant who has involuntarily overheard a conclave of devils discussing Ruus, discloses his true nature. The abbot, summoning all the monks into the church, seizes Ruus, transforms him into a red horse, and commits him to the power of hell (Herford). There are several versions, the earliest known English one bearing date 1620, but the Stationers' Company registers show it as entered in 1568-9. That the story was extremely popular is obvious from numerous contemporary allusions. GAFFER, formerly a respectful address, but now in contempt: a corruption of _granfer_, itself a corruption of _grandfather_. The co-relative is _gammer_ (_q.v._). GAMMER, an old wife, old lady: formerly, like _gaffer_ (which see), a respectful address. _Gammer_ = grammer = grandmother. GEAR, a word, if not of-all-work, with plenty to do--goods, property in general, outfit, tools, necessaries, materials, stuffs, matters, business, affairs, manners, habits, customs, rubbish, trash--all are included: sometimes = affair, contention. GIB, (_a_) a generic name for male cats: hence a common reproach. (_b_) "To set the gib forward" = to expedite matters: proverbial. GIS, GYS, JIS, &c., Jesus: supposed by some to be a corruption of the letters I.H.S. anciently set on altars, covers of books, &c., to denote the name of Jesus: rather, however, from the name itself. GITTEN, got. GLAY, see Cham. GLOOMING, sulking: cf. "glum." GOD, "God 'ield you" (p. 143a), _i.e._ God yield you = God reward you: the compositor has duplicated the _d_ of _God_ in the next word: cf. _Good den_, _God deven_ = good e'en. GOG'S (_passim_), God's. Thus, Gog's blest, Gog's bones, Gog's bread, Gog's cross, Gog's malison, Gog's sacrament, Gog's sides, Gog's soul, Gog's wounds. GOOD, property. GOSSIP, a sponsor in baptism: hence an intimate acquaintance, neighbour. GRAMMERCY, an exclamation of surprise and thanks: Fr. _grand merci_. HALSE, neck, throat. HAVE, behave. HODDEPEAK, fool, cuckold. HOLD, wager, bet. HONESTY, the honest sort of people. HOOD, "I can drink With him that wears a _hood_," _i.e._ a friar; an allusion to their notoriously drunken habits.