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 GAB, subs. (vulgar).—1. The mouth; also Gob. For synonyms, see Potato-trap.

1785. Grose, Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

1785. Burns, Jolly Beggars. And aye he gies the touzie drab The tither skelpin kiss, While she held up her greedy gab, Just like an aumos dish.

1820. Scott, The Abbot, ch. xiv. 'And now, my mates,' said the Abbot of Unreason, 'once again digut your gabs and be hushed—let us see if the Cock of Kennaguhair will fight or flee the pit.'

1890. Rare Bits, 12 Apr., p. 347. 'Clap a stopper on your gab and whack up, or I'll let 'er speak!'

2. (vulgar).—Talk; idle babble. Also Gabb, Gabber, and Gabble.

1712. Spectator, No. 389. Having no language among them but a confused gabble, which is neither well understood by themselves or others.

1811. Poole, Hamlet Travestied, I., 3. Then hold your gab, and hear what I've to tell.

1863. C. Reade, Hard Cash, ch. xxxiv. 'Hush your gab,' said Mr. Green, roughly.

1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. 111. Gladstone's gab about 'masses and classes' is all tommy rot.

Verb (vulgar: O. E., and now preserved in Gabble).—To talk fluently; to talk brilliantly; to lie.

1383. Chaucer, Canterbury Tales 1652. I gabbe nought, so have I joye or blis.

1402. [? T. Occleve], Letter of Cupid, in Arber's Garner, vol. IV., p. 59. A foul vice it is, of tongue to be light, For whoso mochil clappeth, gabbeth oft.

1601. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, Act II., Sc. iii. Mal. Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night.

1663. Butler, Hudibras, pt. I., ch. i., p. 5. Which made some think when he did gabble Th' had heard three Labourers of Babel.

1786. Burns, Earnest Cry and Prayer, st. 10. But could I like Montgomeries fight, Or gab like Boswell.

1880. G. R. Sims, Zeph, ch. vii. An elderly clergyman gabbled the funeral service as though he were calling back an invoice at a draper's entering desk.

1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. 111. Gals do like a chap as can gab.

Gift of the Gab (or Gob), subs. phr. (colloquial).—The gift of conversation; the talent for speech. Fr., n'avoir pas sa langue dans sa poche.

d. 1653. Z. Boyd, Book of Job, quoted in Brewer's Phrase and Fable, s.v., 'gab. There was a good man named Job, Who lived in the land of Uz, He had a good gift of the gob.

1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Canting Crew. Gift of the gob, a wide, open Mouth; also a good Songster, or Singing-master.

1785. Grose, Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

1820. Shelley, Œdipus Tyrannus, Act I. You, Purganax, who have the gift o' the gab, Make them a solemn speech.