go-devil

go-devil [goh-dev-uh l] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. a flexible, jointed apparatus forced through a pipeline to free it from obstructions.
2. a dart dropped into a well, especially an oil well, to explode a charge of dynamite or nitroglycerin previously placed in a desired position.
3. Railroads. a handcar.
4. a sled used to drag or carry logs, stone, etc.
5. Also called sled cultivator. a cultivator that rides on wooden runners and is used on listed furrows.
6. Western U.S. any exceptionally fast or effective machine or appliance: That food processor is a real go-devil.

Origin of go-devil An Americanism dating back to 1825–35 Examples from the Web for go-devil Historical Examples of go-devil

Just find a good place where you can see her when she shoots, and I’ll drop the go-devil.

Ralph Gurney’s Oil Speculation

James Otis

Generally get some visiting lady, when there’s one round, to drop the Go-devil.

The March Family Trilogy, Complete

William Dean Howells

Maybe you’re broke and know you’ll have to work like a go-devil when you get here!

Alaska

Ella Higginson

The “go-devil,” shown in Fig. 14, is another common device for collecting prunings.

Manual of American Grape-Growing

U. P. Hedrick

At night the Monarch was released from the “go-devil” and secured only by his chains to a large tree.

True Bear Stories

Joaquin Miller