[Ads-l] Possible antedatings of "gism"

[Bonnie Taylor-Blake]

"Gism," with the meaning of "spirit, energy," has been placed back to (at
least) 1842. Jonathan Green has a useful entry here.

https://greensdictofslang.com/entry/u57gypa

(For the purpose of recent discussions here on possible etymons of "jazz,"
note that Green mentions "jasm," J.G. Holland's 1860 usage, which we've
discussed here, and remarks that it had been a northeastern U.S. form.)

Here are some appearances of "gism" that precede that 1842 usage. After
consulting with Barry Popik, I believe it's at least possible that the
first, from 1830, may be a typo for "gist," but the others (especially
1840's) may be more promising. Some of these seem to suggest "force,"
"thrust," or "essence."

-- Bonnie

Having read these extracts, Mr. B. remarked, that here was the gism of that
policy, which, thirty years afterwards, ended in dismembering the valley of
the Mississippi, amputating two of its noblest rivers, and surrendering two
hundred thousand square miles of its finest territory to the Crown of
Spain. [In "Debate on Public Lands; U.S. Senate, Jan. 18., Mr. Benton's
Speech," Woodstock (Vermont) Observer, 22 February 1830. Article starts on
p. 1, but the relevant text appears on p. 2, column 3. Mr. Benton would
have been Senator Thomas Hart Benton, of Missouri, though a native of North
Carolina.]

There was no fight at that time, I cannot say who threw the corn. I know,
however, if Mr. Dagget attempted any violence there were persons present to
prevent it, and I left for home. Here it was proven that the gism of the
fight took place afterwards and William Rigley being next witness deposed,
with an unpleasant minuteness to the parties and to the excessive amusement
of every other individual present. [The Southern Banner (Athens, Georgia),
9 July 1836, column 1, p. 3.]

We quote 7-1/2 a 10 cents -- remarking, however that there are several lots
on hand that if put on the market would readily bring 10-1/4 a 10-1/2 cents
-- this latter description of what the *strikers* call the real *gism*, put
in up in square bales. [In "Augusta and Hamburg Market, May 17," The
(Augusta) Georgia Constitutionalist, 17 May 1838. Note that words within
asterisks are italicized.]

There goes my bran new hat, what I bought seckond-handed out of a broker's
shop for fifty cents, smash into a gism against that post -- but tant no
use talking to posts ... [In "Bob Barlow's answer to Billy's 2d letter,"
Southern Post (Macon, Georgia), 16 June 1838, p. 2.]

So, after all the raving and ranting of the movers at our modest intimation
of the object of the meeting, it seems this is the very jit and gism of the
whole concern -- a convocation to cram Van Buren, with all his corruptions
upon the honest people of the party who have been battling against him for
four years past. [In "A Look at the Convention," The Columbus (Georgia)
Enquirer, 15 July 1840, p. 2.]

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org