Moon-raker, subs. (nautical).—1. An imaginary sail above the sky-scraper (q.v.); a moon-sail (q.v.).
2.(common).—A Wiltshire man. [See quots.]. Hence, a smuggler.
1767. Ray, Proverbs [Bohn (1893), 223], s.v.
1787. Grose, Prov. Glossary (1811), p. 93. Wiltshire moon-rakers. Some Wiltshire rustics, as the story goes, seeing the figure of the moon in a pond, attempted to rake it out.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v.
1865. Ouida, Strathmore, ch. xiv. 'It was fine moonlight, last night, my dear fellow, and Hampshire moonrakers do go fishing after contraband goods, au clair de la lune, but I didn't know you belonged to the fraternity!'
1887. Jas. Payn, Glow-Worm Tales, i. 182. In Wiltshire we are not fond of strangers; we are a simple race—some people even call us moon-rakers.
1889. Hunter, Ency. Dict., s.v. Moon raker. Another version is, that some countrymen, raking for kegs of smuggled spirits which had been sunk in a pond, on being questioned by a revenue-officer, told him they were trying to rake that great cheese (the reflection of the moon) out of the water.
3. (common).—A blockhead. For synonyms see Buffle and Cabbage-head.
Moon-raking, subs. (common).—Wool-gathering.
1869. Blackmore, Lorna Doone, xvii. It irked me much that any one should take advantage of me; yet everybody did so as soon as ever it was known that my wits were gone moon-raking.
Moonshine, subs. (common).—1.
Anything unreal or unsubstantial;
humbug (q.v.); rot (q.v.).
1593. Harvey, Pierces Superer. [Grosart (1884), ii. 63]. You may discourse . . . I wott not what marvelous egges in moonshine.
d.1667. Jer. Taylor [in Wks. (1835), ii. 126]. Labouring for nothings, and preaching all day for shadows and moonshine.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Moonshine. A matter or mouthful of moonshine, a trifle, nothing.
2. (common).—See quots.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Moonshine. The white brandy smuggled on the coasts of Kent and Sussex, and the gin in the north of Yorkshire, are also called moonshine.
1819. Scott, Bride of Lammermoor [Saunders Moonshine , a smuggler].
1884. Notes & Queries, 24 May., p. 401. Moonshine signifies smuggled spirits, which were placed in holes of pits and removed at night. Ibid. At Piddinghoe they dig for moonshine.
3. (old).—A month.
1605. Shakspeare, Lear, i. 2. 5. I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines Lag of a brother.
4. (old).—A dish of poached eggs served with a sauce.
1605 Shakspeare, Lear, ii. 2. 35. Draw, you rogue; for, though it be night, yet the moon shines; I'll make a sop o' th' moonshine of you.
Adj. (colloquial).—1. Nocturnal; (2) empty; and (3) trivial.
1596. Shakspeare, Merry Wives, v. 5. 42. You moonshine revellers.
Gilded moonshine, subs. phr. (old).—See quot.
1823. Bee, Dict. Turf, s.v. Gilded Moonshine—sham bills of exchange; 'no effects.'
Moon-shiner, subs. (American).—1.
See quots.
1877. N. Y. Evening Post, 16 June. Nelson County, Kentucky, is the home of the moonshiner; that is, the manufacturer of illicit whiskey. . . . The moon-*shiner regards the revenue officer as a being to be extinguished, and favorable opportunity is the only thing he asks for putting his belief into practice.
