Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a phr. meaning it’s impossible, out of the question; also latterly as adj., e.g. no-go idea.

1816		W.T. Moncrieff All at Coventry II ii: A foul blow that – no go – all up with me here.
1822		Tom and Jerry; A Musical Extravaganza I vi: It’s no go – he’s up – knowing from head to tail.
1827		Egan Anecdotes of the Turf, the Chase etc. 202: It was no go to return the blunt.
1836		‘Cat’s-Meat Nell’ in Cockchafer 4: Mr. Pieman, it’s no go, / Vith me to talk of love.
1837		R. Nicholson Cockney Adventures 30 Dec. 66: He attempted it, but it turned out no go.
1840		N.Y. Herald 15 Jan. 2/4–5: Flat catching. [headline] [...] before him stood the identical flat catchers, who it seems had tried the same game on Mr. W., with whom it was ‘no go’.
1842		‘The Charming Mot’ in Nobby Songster 40: Such women are no go for tailor’s / For treating they don’t care a jot.
1847		Bell’s Life in Sydney 13 Feb. 3/4: The Aid-de-Camp then tried on a ‘new suit’ which proved to be ‘no go’.
1851		Western Police Gaz. (Cincinnati, OH) 29 Mar. n.p.: Other places were marked down as ‘no go’, illustrating the hard-heartedness of their inhabitants.
1852		Kendal Mercury 17 Apr. 6/1: I nearly shook my flesh, bag and trousers off with hactual faiking the dodge to a rhino point; but it vas no go!
1854		Delhi Sketch Bk 1 Sept. 102/2: But she heard of the brandy and water / And of course all my hopes were no go!
1854		‘Cuthbert Bede’ Adventures of Mr Verdant Green (1982) II 197: So at first he used to come and hammer at the door; but that was no go.
c.1858		J.H. Green Reformed Gambler 138: The frightened host endeavored to obey, but it was no go; the more he tried to shoot, the more he couldn’t.
1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor I 65/1: Oh! [...] it’s no use to bother him – he’s no go.
1861		Star (Ballarat, Vic.) 13 Apr. 3/2: To use the slang of his class, it was no go, Her response was a snarl and a poke of her umbrella.
1866		C.H. Smith Bill Arp 18: I tried my darn’dst yesterday to disperse and retire, but it was no go.
1871		C.G. Leland ‘Breitsmann in Germany’ in Hans Breitmann in Europe 265: Boot my pest coat ish shpouted —mine poots are no go.
1874		‘English Sl.’ in Eve. Telegram (N.Y.) 9 Dec. 1/5: Let us present a few specimens:– [...] ‘It’s no go.’.
1879		H. Hartigan Stray Leaves (2nd ser.) 278: The Sikhs fought like devils, [...] but it was no go ; and after a short struggle we swept them before us.
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 7 Feb. 13/4: ‘[S]aying ‘The Lord’s will be done; but by thunder, I’ll do business in Ninevah;’ he was fired right into my mouth. He worked his way back to my throat. I tried to cough him out, but ’twas no go.’.
1888–94		‘Walter’ My Secret Life (1966) II 370: She said the girl was scared and she feared it was no go.
1890		‘’Arry on Equality’ in Punch 22 Feb. 85/2: But cackle and splutter ain’t swimming; so Robert, my nabs, it’s no go.
1893		P.H. Emerson Signor Lippo 23: Well, I tried to get some banjo pupils – no go; no testimonials.
1895		Coburg Leader (Vic.) 27 July 1/5: Who is the telegraph boy that is after the boot-makers donah? Switch off, Ed, it's no go.
1900		Marvel XIII:329 Feb. 2: ‘It’s no go, Donnison!’ he shouted. ‘We shall have to leave it and go on.’.
1911		Gem 18 Nov. 21: ‘No go!’ said Crooke, with a grunt.
1914		Joyce ‘Ivy Day in the Committee Room’ Dubliners (1956) 120: It’s no go,’ said Mr Henchy, shaking his head.
1926		(con. WWI) ‘Sapper’ Shorty Bill 196: No go, Ginger, stung again, old man.
1937		L. MacNeice ‘Bagpipe Music’ in Coll. Poems It’s no go the Yogi-Man, it’s no go Blavatsky, / All we want is a bank balance and a bit of skirt in a taxi.
1947		J. Maclaren-Ross Of Love And Hunger 18: When he saw me with the boxes again he said: ‘No go?’.
1951		Cusack & James Come in Spinner (1960) 8: I’ve pushed all the buttons. I’ve pulled all the gadgets and it’s no go.
1959		E. De Roo Go, Man, Go! 76: ‘Have you thought over my proposition?’ ‘I told you last time it’s no go.’.
1962		R. Cook Crust on its Uppers 23: It was no go for Old Bill.
1968		S. Gore Holy Smoke 73: But the pigeon’s only coming back, say’in, ‘No go, Noah’.
1971		T. Thackrey Thief 261: It was no-go because of my nose.
1984		‘Derek Raymond’ He Died with His Eyes Open 99: He’s strictly negative, no-go, no-no-land.
1992		K. Lette Llama Parlour 47: It was impossible. A no-go idea.
1996		D. Healy Bend for Home 220: Instead tried to move Christine Keeler. No go.
2009		L. McIlvanney All the Colours 135: ‘Sorry, big lad. No go’.