Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) courage, bravery, spirit.

1894		J. Frye Fables of Field and Staff 84: But he was some lackin’ in sperrit. O-ho! he cert’nly was lackin’ o’ gimp.
1906		E. Dyson Fact’ry ’Ands 164: The wearer wouldn’t have sufficient gimp t’ get up off er tack.
1912		Ade Knocking the Neighbors 121: He could not face a Jury or fight a Case because the fond Parents had put the Sign on him and robbed him of all his Gimp.
1924		H.L. Wilson Professor How Could You! 315: Say what you will, he’s got a world of gimp.
1931		P. Stevenson Gospel According to St Luke’s 26: Boys with gimp are those for whom studies are not easy, yet who manage, by their gimp, to attain high rank.
1944		R.L. Bellem ‘Million Buck Snatch!’ Dan Turner - Hollywood Detective Jan. 🌐 His hand was trembling [...] The kidnaping of his little girl had taken all the gimp out of him.

2. (Irish/US) swagger, elegance.

1920		Ade Hand-made Fables 25: There was not enough whalebone in the Department Stores to give any Gimp to Eloise.
1961		T. Murphy Whistle in the Dark [stage direction] He affects a swagger when he walks The swagger is called ‘the gimp’, shoulders hunched up, one shoulder higher than the other, arms slightly tense.
1996		(ref. to 1963) D. Healy Bend for Home 176: Look at the gimp of him, said Dinny.

3. (US) a manager, a boss.

1916

Seattle Star (WA) 11 Nov. 8/3: ‘The gimp was doing the royal with some clover-kicker at the next board.’ [The boss was entertaining a friend from the country at the next table].