Modest, adj. and adv. (colloquial).—A vulgarism expressive of moderation; the reverse of large (q.v.). Hence, modest quencher = a small drink.
Modicum, subs. (venery).—The female
pudendum. For synonyms
see Monosyllable.
1675. Cotton, Scoffer Scofft, in Works (1725), p. 258. Such knees, such thighs, and such a bum And such a, such a modicum.
Mods, subs. (Oxford University).—The
first public examination for
degrees. [An abbreviation of 'Moderations'].
1887. Chambers' Journal, 14 May, 310. Mods cannot be attempted until the end of one year from matriculation, and need not be tackled until the expiration of two.
Moey, subs. (common).—1. The
mouth. For synonyms see Potato-trap.
2. (American thieves').—See quot.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Moey, a petition.
Moffling-chete, subs. (old).—See
Muffling-cheat.
Mofussil, subs. and adj. (Anglo-Indian).—Any
part of India
except the three capitals, Calcutta,
Bombay, and Madras: specifically
rural; provincial.
1772. Order of Council of H. E. I. C. in Claim of Roy Rada Churn. 13. 2. In each district shall be established two Courts of Judicature: one by the name of the mofussil Audauler or Provincial Court of Dewannee.
1845. The Mofussilite [Title]. Published in Calcutta.
1863. G. A. Sala, Breakfast in Bed, Essay I. p. 11 (1864). 'The conduct of the Indian government with reference to the Gwalior bungalows, the farming of mofussils to Kansamahs.'
Moggy, subs. (old).—1. A badly-dressed
woman; a guy (q.v.).
2. (old).—A calf.
Mogue, verb. (common).—To gammon;
to throw dust in one's eyes.
1870. Bell's Life, 19 June. If Mr. Milsom means business and not moguing let him cover my deposit.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, 60. Sometimes we mogue 'em by pulling 'em a bit, but those bookies are fly to the game.
Mohair, subs. (old).—1. An upholsterer.
Cf. Burn-crust.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
2. (old).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulgar Tongue, s.v. Mohair, a man in the civil line, a townsman, or tradesman, a military term, from the mohair buttons worn by persons of those descriptions, or any others not in the army; the buttons of military men being always of metal; this is generally used as a term of contempt.
Mohawk (or Mohock), subs. (old).—A
ruffian who infested the
streets of London at the beginning
of the eighteenth century. At
the Restoration, the street bullies
were called Muns and Tityre-Tus;
then Hectors and Scourers; then,
Nickers and Hawcubites; and
lastly, Mohocks or Mohawks.
Also as verb.
1711. Swift, Journal to Stella, 8 March. Did I tell you of a race of rakes, called the mohawks that play the devil about this town every night?
1712. Steele, Spectator, No. 324. The mohock-club, a name borrowed, it seems, from a sort of cannibals in India, who subsist by plundering and devouring all the nations about them.
1712. Gay, Trivia, iii. 326. Who has not trembled at the mohock's name?
1717. Prior, Alma, iii. Give him port and potent sack; From a milksop he starts up mohack.
