gasper

American  

[gas-per, gah-sper] / ˈgæs pər, ˈgɑ spər /

noun

British Slang.

1. a cigarette.

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gasper British  

/ ˈɡɑːspə /

noun

1. a person who gasps

2. old-fashioned a cheap cigarette

3. informal something that shocks one or causes one to gasp in astonishment

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Etymology

Origin of gasper

First recorded in 1910–15; gasp + -er ¹

Example Sentences

I gasped loudly, the lone gasper in a room of eight-odd souls.

From Washington Post • May 17, 2018

Former jocks chose push ups or the old football squad gasper, running in place; veterans of yoga groups did yoga bends; dancers did dancers' stretches.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Anybody aboard?" he bellowed as he wandered through the metal guts of the old gasper.

From Time Magazine Archive

Here and there a man is puffing at his beloved "gasper" with the nonchalance that marks your bull-dog breed when stern work is afoot.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-04-14 by Various

Wherefore, ye men and maids who chant, Refrain at all costs from exasper- ating The Morning Post, which can't Abide the methods of the gasper.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, December 15, 1920 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

Related Words

• smoke