Match, subs. (Stock Exchange).—1. In pl. Bryant and May Limited Stock.
2. (American cadets').—A stripling. For synonyms see Lamp-post.
3. (old).—See quot.
1821. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Match—persons nearly of a size are said to 'make a good match,' (ring). Horses' match consists in colour and size. A two-horses' race, is a match, when specially agreed upon. The agreement for a man-fight, is 'making a match.' Young folks are said to 'make a match of it,' when they marry; they do the same when they do not wed frequently, but bring gyblets together sans ceremonie.
To lose the match and pocket the stakes, verb. phr. (venery).—To copulate: of women only. For synonyms see Greens and Ride.
Mate, subs. (colloquial).—A companion;
a partner; a pal (q.v.). Also
matey.
1580. Tusser, Husbandrie, ch. 113, st. 30, p. 212 (E. D. S.). As for such mates, as vertue hates, . . . small matter it is.
1630. Massinger, Renegado, iv. 1. Come, my mates, I hitherto have lived an ill example, And, as your captain, led you on to mischief.
1859. H. Kingsley, Geoffry Hamlyn, ch. xxxi. I took him for a flash overseer, sporting his salary, and I was as thick as you like with him. And, 'matey,' says I, (you see I was familiar, he seemed such a jolly sort of bird), 'matey, what station are you on?'
1864. H. Kingsley, The Hillyars and the Burtons, chap. xxx. 'Well, then, I'll tell you where it is,' said Jack Marton [Blacksmith] 'me and my mates must look to ourselves' . . .
1874. Mrs. H. Wood, Johnny Ludlow, 1 S. No. xxii. p. 403. Twasn't me that originated the strike. I but joined in it with the rest of my mates.'
1892. Sydney Watson, Wops the Waif, ch. i. p. 2. 'I say, Tickle matey, wot's all them a-readin' of on that bill over there?' interrupted Wops.
1892. Anstey, Model Music Hall Songs, 119. Way-oh ole matey, I don't bear no malice.
Mater, subs. (colloquial).—A mother;
the old woman (q.v.). Fr. la
maternelle.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
1883. Braddon, Golden Calf, vi. The pater and mater are away . . . So we can have things all our own way.
Matin-bell, subs. (thieves').—A
thieves' rendezvous; an evening-chimes
(q.v.).
Matriarch, subs. (American).—An
old dowager.
Matrimonial, subs. (venery).—The
act of kind in the natural position.
Also matrimonial polka. For
synonyms see Greens and Ride.
Matrimonial peacemaker, subs.
phr. (venery).—See quot. For
synonyms see Creamstick and
Prick.
1796. Grose, Vulg. Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v. Matrimonial peacemaker. The sugar stick or arbor vitæ.
Matter. As near as no matter,
phr. (colloquial).—Very nearly; as
near as may be.
1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, p. 69. I've reported as near as no matter.
Mattress-Jig, subs. phr. (venery).—Copulation.
For synonyms see
Greens and Ride.
Maukes (Maux, or Mawkes), subs.
(old).—See Mawkes.
Maukin. See Malkin.
