Empty talk.
1847. The boys said that was all gas, to scare them off.—W. T. Porter, ed., ‘A Quarter Race in Kentucky,’ etc., p. 120. (N.E.D.)
1850. [The talk about a dissolution of the Union] is all mere gas, and I regret that some portion of this gas has entered both ends of this Capitol.—Mr. Atchison of Missouri, U.S. Senate, Aug. 2: Cong. Globe, p. 1500, Appendix.
1855. Now, when we want anything done we jist come together and do it right up, and no mistake; and when it’s done ’tis done, without buncomin’ and gassin’ on’t two or three days.—Kansas Herald of Freedom, Sept. 8, 2/4.
