Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also gusheress) one who talks to excess, uttering usu. insincere, sycophantic and sentimental remarks.

1864		E. Yates Broken to Harness I 124: The enthusiastic gusher who flings his or herself upon our necks, and insists upon sharing our sorrow.
1875		Exeter Flying Post 7 June 6/2: As different as possible from the mock enthusiasm affected by people known as ‘gushers’.
1882		M.E. Braddon Mount Royal 234: ‘But, surely there is nothing improper in the play, dear Lady Cumberbridge,’ exclaimed the eldest gusher.
1886		Nat. Police Gaz. (NY) 17 Apr. 2/2: ‘The Giddy Gusher’ is Mrs Steve Fiske [...] What she writes is always juicy and interesting.
1890		Bulletin (Sydney) 6 Sept. 11/2: It is said that the Princess with difficulty refrained from heaving the ‘floral tribute’ at the sainted gusher just ere he pronounced his benediction.
1891		A. Day Mysterious Beggar 255: He sloped in the direction of the slobber-gushers on Clinton Avenue. [Ibid.] 268: Looked just like a crazy gusher that slopped his benevolence ’round careless like.
1901		‘Hugh McHugh’ Down the Line 100: Most of us young guys are gushers with the loud language when the Best and Only is in the building.
1901		D. Cotsford Society Snapshots 67: A Gusher from Gunnersbury (in pink blouse and blue necklace) [...] Dearest, how sweet to see you here!...Isn’t it perfectly glorious?
1908		Bulletin (Sydney) 1 Oct. 14/3: Soon some gusher worded it wide thet a bloke wuz shot ’n’ ’ad crawled inter t’ tube t’ die.
1923		C.B. Poultney Mrs. ’Arris 62: ‘Wot we’ll ’ave,’ says the gusher, ‘is a scene in a ’bus.’.
1931		(con. 1918) E.W. Springs Rise and Fall of Carol Banks 160: There was a new hostess in there that looked as good as a cashier’s check. I sure brought in a gusher. You’d swear butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, yet she’s as tough as a mule steak. But she’s a straight shooter.
1939		R. Chandler Big Sleep 23: You’re not much of a gusher, are you, Mr Marlowe?

2. a crying fit [SE gusher, a well from which the oil flows without pumping].

1993

S. King Dolores Claiborne 250: I imagine he thought that first tear meant I was gonna go a gusher.