G is for Guisard

Guisard: One who goes about in fantastic guise or dress; a masquerader; a mummer.

I'm personally delighted to learn this word as I shall always use it in place of drag queen henceforth!

Not to be confused with gizzards, which are the cooked entrails of fowl. Mind you, now that I think about it, I've met a couple drag queens with off-stage personalities about as endearing as cooked fowl entrails.

Source: New English Dictionary (1901) Sir James Murray
Google hits: 313000 (largely due to the surname)


Gregarian: Of the common sort; ordinary. Related to gregal: belonging to a herd

Obviously not a compliment and yet it relates directly to gregarious, meaning sociable and considered complimentary. The rift points to the underappreciated tragedy of our society: It is most often the big talkers who are internally the dullest and least intelligent. It is the quiet ones who observe, learn and gather wisdom while the bullshitters slick-slide their way into the positions of political, corporate, social, and other forms of power and leadership, to our species' ongoing demise.

Source: Ladies Lexicon and Parlour Companion (1854) William Grimshaw
Google hits: 16600


Gilravage: To hold a merry meeting, with noise and riot but without injury, usually featuring intemperate use of alcohol. From gild (society or fraternity) and the French ravager: to waste.

I suppose this sheds some light on the modern term rave (bush party).

Source: Etymological Scottish Dictionary (1808) John Jamieson
Google hits: 25700

Hey! It's Party time at EPUC!