"Goo-goo Eyes" vs "Google Eyes"

Posted by ESC on September 12, 2003

In Reply to: "Googoo Eyes" vs "Google Eyes" posted by ESC on September 11, 2003

: : I find references to both of these phrases! When is one used versus the other? Thank you.

: I am not sure. There's the expression "goo-goo eyes" and then there's a song:

: Barney Google
: by Spike Jones

: Barney Google, with his goog- goog- googley eyes.
: Barney Google had a wife three times his size.
: She sued Barney for divorce
: Now he's living with his horse.
: Barney Google, with his goog- goog- googley eyes.

goo-goo eyes - to cast amorous glances at. 1901.
googy eyes - same meaning as goo-goo eyes. 1919
google-eyed - 1902-03 Ade "People You Know" 106. The men were all google-eyed.

From Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 1, A-G by J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994.

That reference didn't have a definition for "google-eyed." But it look to me like "goo-good eyes" are about boy/girl looks and "google-eyed" is just being wide-eyed and excited about something.

• Not forgetting Lewis 12/September/03