a case ???

[Douglas G. Wilson]

I think the "a case" in question is likely -- at least in some cases --
elliptical for "a gone case", which was used just like "a case" in
Jonathon Green's example, and otherwise: e.g.:

"[Somebody] is a gone case" = "It's a gone case with [somebody]" = "It's
hopeless for [somebody]"/"[Somebody] is a gone coon/goose".

To be "a gone case" did not necessarily mean to be moribund or in mortal
danger: it also referred to one who was hopelessly ignorant, who was a
hopeless drunkard, who had no chance of winning a contest, etc.

"It's a gone case" = "It's a hopeless situation".

Here it is (in one form) in Bartlett's 1877 dictionary:

http://books.google.com/books?id=n8MRAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA252&dq=%22gone+case%22+date:1700-1880&lr=&num=100&as_brr=3

There is/was also "a done case", apparently used similarly, apparently
much less frequent.

-- Doug Wilson

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