Merry-andrew, subs. (common).—See quot. 1785. Also Mr. Merryman.
1682. Dryden, Epil. to Univ. of Oxford. 'Th'Italian merry-andrews took their place. And quite debauch'd the Stage with lewd grimace.'
1710. Rochester, Poems, p. 56. They ne'er had sent to Paris for such fancies, As monster's heads and merry-andrew's dances.
1732. Henry Fielding, The Mock Doctor, i. 1. I waited on a gentleman at Oxford, where I learned very near as much as my master; from whence I attended a travelling physician six years, under the facetious denomination of a merry andrew, where I learned physic.
1770. St. Foix, Essays upon Paris, ii. 64, ii. cap. 6. The merry-andrews told stories.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Merry Andrew or Mr. Merryman, the jack-pudding, jester, or zany of a mounte-*bank, usually dressed in a party-colored coat.
1785. Burns, Jolly Beggars, R. iii. Poor merry-andrew in the neuk Sat guzzling with a tinkler-hizzie. Ibid. S. iii. Poor andrew that tumbles for sport.
1842. C. Lever, Jack Hinton, . . . I wonder how a Christian would make a merry-andrew of himself by wearing such clothes.
Merry-begot (or -begotten), subs.
(old).—A bastard: cf. quot. 1377.—Grose
(1785). For synonyms
see Bloody escape, etc.
c.1377. Langtoft, Chronicle [Brunne (1725), p. 50]. Knoute of his body gate sonnes thre, Tuo bi tuo wifes, the thrid in jolifte [in jollity].
1890. Hall Caine, The Bondman, i. ch. 6. Maybe you think it wise to bring up your daughter with the merry-begot of any ragabash that comes prowling along.
Merry-cain. See Cain, Raise
and Jesse.
Merry-dancers, subs. (colloquial).—The
Northern Lights. [From
their motion]. Fr. chèvres dansantes
(= dancing goats).
Merry-dog, subs. (common).—A
boon companion; a jolly-dog
(q.v.).
1891. W. C. Russell, Ocean Tragedy, p. 18. He was a merry-dog enough when Wilfrid was out of sight.
Merry Dun of Dover, subs. (nautical).—A
ship so large that,
passing through the Straits of
Dover, her flying jib-boom
knocked down Calais steeple;
while the fly of her ensign swept
a flock of sheep off Dover Cliff.
She was so lofty that a boy who
went to her mast-head found
himself a grey old man when he
reached the deck again. [This
yarn is founded on a story in
Scandinavian mythology].
Merry-go-down, subs. (Old Cant).—Strong
ale; stingo (q.v.). For
synonyms see Drinks and Swipes.
c.1530. Hoow Gossip Mine [in Neuenglische Lezebuch (1895), p. 154]. I know a draught of merry-go-down, The best it is in all the town.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, Ded. [Harl. Misc. vi. 145]. I present you with meate, and you . . . can do no less than present mee with the best morning's draught of merry-go-downe in your quarters.
Merry-go-sorry, subs. (old colloquial).—Hysteria.
1600. Breton, Fortunes of Two Princes, 25. The ladie with a merrie-go-sorrie.
Merry-go-up, subs. (old).—Snuff.
1821. Egan, Real Life, ii. 90. Short but pungent like a pinch of merry-go-up.
Merry Greek, subs. phr. (old).—A
jolly companion.
