play gooseberry
English
Verb
play gooseberry (third-person singular simple present plays gooseberry, present participle playing gooseberry, simple past and past participle played gooseberry)
- (dated, British slang) to be an unwanted third party accompanying two lovers, to serve as a chaperon
- 1915, Montgomery, Lucy Maud, “In the Park”, in Anne of the Island:
- "Well, new experiences are broadening. Come along, and you'll be able to sympathize with all poor souls who have to play gooseberry often.
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Synonyms
- do gooseberry
Translations
to serve as a chaperon
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See also
- third wheel
- two's company, three's a crowd
References
- Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors (1889–1890), “play gooseberry”, in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant […], volume I (A–K), Edinburgh: […] The Ballantyne Press, OCLC 882571771, page 419.
- Farmer, John Stephen (1893) Slang and Its Analogues, volume 3, page 183