play gooseberry

play gooseberry (third-person singular simple present plays gooseberry, present participle playing gooseberry, simple past and past participle played gooseberry)

1. (dated, British slang) to be an unwanted third party accompanying two lovers, to serve as a chaperon
   • 1915, Montgomery, Lucy Maud, “In the Park”, in Anne of the Island:

     "Well, new experiences are broadening. Come along, and you'll be able to sympathize with all poor souls who have to play gooseberry often.

• do gooseberry

• third wheel

• “play gooseberry” in Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, volume I (A–K), Edinburgh: The Ballantyne Press, 1889–1890, page 419.
• Farmer, John Stephen (1893) Slang and Its Analogues‎, volume 3, page 183