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Gig-manity

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Respectability. A word invented by Carlyle. A witness in the trial of John Thurtell said, “I always thought him [Thurtell] a respectable man.” And being asked by the judge what he meant, replied, “He [Thurtell] kept a gig.”

“A princess of the blood, yet whose father had sold his inexpressibles … in a word, Gigmanity disgigged. — Carlyle: The Diamond Necklace, chap. v.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Gibberish (g hard)
Gibbet (g soft)
Gibelins
Gibeonite
Giblets (The Duke of)
Gibraltar (g soft)
Gif Gaff
Gift-horse
Gig (g hard)
Gig-lamps
Gig-manity
Giggle (g hard)
Gil Blas (g soft)
Gilbertines
Gild the Pill (To)
Gilded Chamber (The)
Gilderoy
Gilderoy’s Kite
Gildippe (in Jerusalem Delivered)
Giles
Giles (St.)