geezer slang.
(ˈgiːzə(r))
Also geeser, geyser.
[A dial. pronunciation of guiser.]
A term of derision applied esp. to men, usu. but not necessarily elderly; a chap, fellow.
| 1885 ‘Corin’ Truth about Stage 16 If we wake up the old geezers we shall get notice to quit without compensation..The two geezers, as Sandy styled the landlord and his wife. 1893 Northumbld. Gloss., Geezer, a mummer; and hence any grotesque or queer character. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 17 Aug. 2/3 So an obliging firm of Liverpool solicitors, like the nice old geeser in the song, have just assured him. 1904 ‘No. 1500’ Life in Sing Sing 248/2 Geezer, a fellow. 1910 Punch 5 Oct. 243 'Old yer blooming rah, an' give the old geyser [sc. a lady singer] a charnst, cawn't yer? 1914 Dialect Notes IV. 201 The old geezer wouldn't let us play ball in his pasture. 1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock ii. i. 74 You're a grand little geezer. Ibid. ii. ii. 90 A geezer can't have an alibi for every minute of the day. Ibid. iv. ii. 267 I'll tell you a thing or two, you bloody little geezer. 1958 [see baron 2 c]. 1958 J. Symons Gigantic Shadow vii. 37 There's a geezer I know named Twisty Dodds, kind of a small-time crook you might call him. 1960 [see bird n. 1 d]. 1965 [see China1 7]. |