go-devil

English

Etymology

go +‎ devil

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡəʊdɛvəl/

Noun

go-devil (plural go-devils)

1. (US, colloquial) A gadget or unspecified device, as used in various industries.
   • 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 952:

     He had three wagonloads of go-devil squibs he wanted to sell, you know, these little oil-well torpedoes, hold about a quart of nitro each? Beautiful.

   1. A weight which is dropped into a bore, as of an oil well, to explode a cartridge previously lowered.
   2. A device, such as a loosely fitted plug, which is driven through a pipe by the pressure of the contents behind the plug to clear away obstructions.
   3. A rough sled or dray used for dragging or hauling loads.