Part 49 (2/2)

MERKIN. Counterfeit hair for women's privy parts. See BAILEY'S DICT.

MERRY ANDREW, or MR. MERRYMAN. The jack pudding, jester, or zany of a mountebank, usually dressed in a party-coloured coat.

MERRY A-SE CHRISTIAN. A wh.o.r.e.

MERRY-BEGOTTEN. A b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

MAN OF THE WORLD. A knowing man.

MESS JOHN. A Scotch presbyterian teacher or parson.

MESSMATE. One who eats at the same mess, companion or comrade.

METTLE. The s.e.m.e.n. To fetch mettle; the act of self pollution.

Mettle is also figuratively used for courage.

METTLESOME. Bold, courageous.

MICHAEL. Hip, Michael, your head's on fire. See HYP.

MIDs.h.i.+PMAN'S WATCH AND CHAIN. A sheep's heart and pluck.

MILCH COW. One who is easily tricked out of his property; a term used by gaolers, for prisoners who have money and bleed freely.

MILK AND WATER. Both ends of the busk.

TO MILK THE PIGEON. To endeavour at impossibilities.

MILLING COVE. A boxer. How the milling cove served the cull out; how the boxer beat the fellow.

MILL. A chisel.

To MILL. To rob; also to break, beat out, or kill. I'll mill your glaze; I'll beat out your eye. To mill a bleating cheat; to kill a sheep. To mill a ken; to rob a house.

To mill doll; to beat hemp in bridewell. CANT.

MILL LAY. To force open the doors of houses in order to rob them.

MILLER. A murderer.

MINE A-SE ON A BANDBOX. An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is wanted, just as a bandbox would be if used for a seat.

MINE UNCLE'S. A p.a.w.nbroker's shop; also a necessary house. Carried to my uncle's; p.a.w.ned. New-married men are also said to go to their uncle's, when they leave their wives soon after the honey moon.

MINIKIN. A little man or woman: also the smallest sort of pin.

MINOR CLERGY. Young chimney sweepers.

MINT. Gold. A mint of money; common phrase for a large sum.

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