Is gander(stupid person) still used in English?

Question

Is this meaning outdated?

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

Still in the dictionaries, and not marked as obsolete or archaic:
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gan·der

Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gandra; akin to Dutch gander, Middle Low German ganre gander, Old English gs goose -- more at GOOSE

1 : the adult male goose
2 : a stupid or foolish fellow : SIMPLETON<a silly, immature little gander -- Elizabeth Bowen>

(7 Sep. 2006).
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BarbaraPA · Answer

I have never heard it used in the U.S. this way.

Nona the brit · Answer

You might call someone a 'silly goose' if you don't mind sounding as though you live in 1940, but honestly, I've never heard gander used in this way. It is listed in the dictionary alright but so are lots of words that pretty much never get used...I don't think many people would understand what you meant by it.

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

When I lived in England, some people would say 'Take a gander at this', meaning 'Take a look at this'.

[ I always figured it was some kind of rhyming slang, but I don't know how it is derived.Perhaps it is/was simply because a goose has a long neck for looking. ]

Best wishes, Clive

Marius Hancu · Answer

Probably not used since the 19th century, if we're to believe this:

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000524

Also, see the comments there on
to take a gander

Logicman · Answer

In my sixty years here in the UK, I have never heard the word 'gander' used to describe a foolish person. I have heard 'silly goose', but it is rare. As a London-born son of a Londoner I can say that it almost certainly has nothing to do with cockney rhyming slang.

My own opinion is that the phrase 'to have/take a gander' comes directly from observation of the habits of geese. They are notoriously noisy when a stranger approaches. The gander, in particular, will look straight towards any source of danger on stretched legs and with stretched neck. Also, a gander will strut around and investigate things.

A legend of ancient Rome is that the geese sacred to Juno roused the people from sleep when the Gauls attacked the Capitoline hill.

It could be that the phrase changed from a person's behaviour bearing a similarity to a gander.
To resemble 'look like' a gander may have become 'to look' (about), like a gander, hence to gander, or have a gander.

It's just my own opinion.

Is gander(stupid person) still used in English?

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