little go

plural little gos · plural little goes · alternative little-go

1. historicalA type of illegal private lottery.First known use 18th c.
2. UKhistoricaluniversity slangThe first examination for a BA degree at Oxford or Cambridge universities; responsions.First known use 19th c.

   He gave a reluctant couple of hours in the afternoon to the mysteries of Little-go Greek, and for the rest of his time he was either working at mathematics and mathematical physics or experimenting in a little upstairs room that had been carved out of the general space of the barn.

   1916, HG Wells, Mr Britling Sees it Through, London: Hogarth Press, published 1985, page 209

3. slangAny minor or preliminary activity.First known use 19th c.