British
Army slang for a cigarette believed to date from around the
time of the Second Boer War 1899 – 1902. A gasper was a high tar cigarette, without any sort of filter tip, such as Woodbine or Capstan. They got the
name because smoking caused the troops to gasp for breath when engaged in strenuous exercise.
“I'
d just got
clipped by a Boer bullet, nuffin' serious, so
Jack gimme a gasper while he put a dressing on it.”