Gay-Pay-Oo
(geɪpeɪˈuː)
Also Gay-Pay-U.
Phonetic representation of G.P.U. as pronounced in Russian (see G III. f).
| 1927 Observer 11 Dec. 21/2 The Gay-Pay-OO, or Political Police. 1928 Punch 18 Jan. 57/2 The Gay-Pay-Oo, it seems, is the name of the reorganised Russian Cheka. 1934 G. B. Shaw Pref. 359 The Russians were forced to set up an Inquisition or Star Chamber, called at first the Cheka and now the Gay Pay Oo (Ogpu). 1936 D. Powell Turn, Magic Wheel iii. 225 He yanked words out of the corner of his mouth..as..cautiously as if Gay-Pay-U men were all about. |