Meaning of gawf | Babel Free

Definitions

A cheap and low-quality apple that has been polished to deceptively appear of better quality.

London, obsolete, slang

Examples

“A cheap red-skinned fruit, known to costermongers as "gawfs," is rubbed hard, to look⟳ bright and feel⟳ soft, and is mixed with apples of a superior description. "Gawfs are sweet and sour at once," I was told, "and fit for nothing but mixing."”

“From Little White-Lion-street, an appleman in his stuff-coat swings out wide, side-pockets loaded. Doing brisk business, he turns to his young helper. 'Hurry⟳ it up with them gawfs!' he hisses. The boy redoubles his efforts, frantically rubbing at the redskinned fruit to make⟳ it look⟳ brighter and feel⟳ softer.”

“In the piazza business is already brisk and the air is thick with costers' cries: 'Three a penny, two shillins the lot'; 'Best quality leeks, just look⟳ at the shine⟳ on these beauties'; 'Fine apples, mister – 'apenny each – you won't get⟳ no gawfs 'ere.”

CEFR level