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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

play gooseberry en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (UK, dated, slang) To be an unwanted third party accompanying two lovers, to serve as a chaperon.
    • "Well, new experiences are broadening. Come along, and you'll be able to sympathize with all poor souls who have to play gooseberry often. 1915, Lucy Maud Montgomery, “In the Park”, in Anne of the Island:
    • What do you do at night in cars? — I have never been in cars. Never in a car at night? — Only with my sister's young man. Do you play gooseberry? — No. My sister's young man often takes me and the children for a little drive. 1930 April 11, The Brunswick and Coburg Gazette, Moonee Ponds, Vic, page 1, column 4:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
playing gooseberry Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
played gooseberry Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
played gooseberry Tense=Past lexicographic
plays gooseberry Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Relateds

two's company, three's a crowd · third wheel

Synonyms

do gooseberry

Translations (7)

de den Anstandswauwau spielen (to serve as a chaperon) · pl być piątym kołem u wozu (to serve as a chaperon) · wa tini l' tchandele (to serve as a chaperon) · is vera þriðja hjólið (to serve as a chaperon) · pt segurar vela (to serve as a chaperon) · fr tenir la chandelle (to serve as a chaperon) · fi olla kolmas pyörä (to serve as a chaperon)