E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Gib’bet (g soft).
A foot-pad, who “piqued himself on being the best-behaved man on the road.” (George Farquhar: Beax’ Stratagem.)
1
To gibbet the bread (Lincolnshire). When bread turns out ropy and is supposed to be bewitched, the good dame runs a stick through it and hangs it in the cupboard. It is gibbeted in terrorem to other batches.
x’ Stratagem.)
