Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797
George Washington 1732-1799
The Writings of George Washington From the Original Manuscript Sources: Volume 12, 1745-1799
“The disposition for these detachments is as follows — Morgans corps, to gain the enemy’s right flank; Maxwells brigade to hang on their left. Brigadier Genl. Scott is now marching with a very respectable detachment destined to gall the enemys left flank and rear.”
In this context it is used to mean to harass with the intent to cause injury.
From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. 1792
It moves my gall to hear a preacher descanting on dress and needle-work; and still more, to hear him address the British fair, the fairest of the fair, as if they had only feelings.
In this context it is used to mean a feeling of exasperation
Walt Whitman 1819 – 1892
From Leaves of Grass 1855
“And remember perfectly well his revolving eyes and his awkwardness,
And remember putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;
He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and passed north,
I had him sit next me at table….my firelock leaned in the corner.”
Edga Rice Burroughs 1918
“Durn ye!” he cried. “I’ll lam ye! Get offen here. I knows ye. Yer one o’ that gang o’ bums that come here last night, an’ now you got the gall to come back beggin’ for food, eh? I’ll lam ye!” and he raised the gun to his shoulder.”