Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 4.pdf/388

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viznomy than this prince of muggers. He can say more with his eyebrow than the common tragedian with the full resources of his double-bass.

4. (Anglo-Indian).—A crocodile.

1895. Kipling, Second Jungle Book, 'The Undertakers,' 106. The mugger of Ahmedmugger Ghaut.


Muggill, subs. (old).—See quot.

1610. Rowlands, Martin Markall, p. 39 (H. Club's Repr. 1874). The Muggill, the Beadle.


Mugging, subs. (pugilistic).—1. A thrashing. See Mug, verb., sense 1.

2. (public schools').—Hard work.

3. (theatrical).—See MUG, verb., sense 2.

1871. London Figaro, 17 Mar. A collection of judicious and injudicious gags might prove as edifying as a selection of good and bad performances; although, on the whole, it is a dangerous custom, and one which is assuredly 'more honoured in the breach than the observance.' Judicious mugging is, perhaps, the more harmless of the two.


Muggins, subs. (common).—1. A fool. For synonyms see Buffle and Cabbage-head.

2. (common).—A borough-magnate; a local leader.


Muggled, adj. (thieves').—A term applied to cheap trash offered for sale as smuggled goods.

1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., ii. 44. Another ruse to introduce muggled or 'duffer's' goods.


Muggles, subs. (old).—Restlessness; the fidgets (q.v.).

1750. Robertson of Struan, Poems, 96. Push till the Muggles seize the Fair, And the unruly breaks his Bridle.


Muggy, adj. (common).—1. Tipsy. For synonyms see Drinks and Screwed.

2. (vulgar).—Stifling and damp: of the weather. Also mugginess.

1865. G.F. Berkely, Life etc., ii. 120. I shall never forget a still hot day, or what would vulgarly be called a muggy lazy day in June at the fullest time of the Park.

1871. London Figaro, 27 Jan. Here a north-east aspect means exposure to the keenest winds that blow, to the sharpest frosts that occur, to the most damp and dismal atmosphere whenever the weather happens to be muggy in winter.

1873. Miss Broughton, Nancy, ch. xliv. 'Nice and fresh! Much better than one of those muggy days, when you can hardly breathe!'

1883. G.A. S[ala], in Illustr. London News, 30 June p. 647, col. 1. A temperature varying between raw chilliness one day and oppressive mugginess the next.


Mughouse, subs. (old).—An alehouse. For synonyms see Lushing-cub.

1710. Tatler, No. 180. There is a mughouse near Long Acre.


Mug-hunter. See Pot-hunter.


Mugster, subs. (Winchester College).—One who mugs (q.v.). [Notions : Ster is generally the termination of the agent, as in 'Brockster', 'Thokester', etc. Cf. Harrow termination er as in 'footer' = a footballer; loather = one to be loathed. So revolter (q.v.); disguster (q.v.). Cf. Mugger.

1888. Times, 1 Feb., p. 12. col. 2. Remember the many epithets applied to those who, not content with doing their work, commit the heinous offence of being absorbed in it. Every school, every college has had its choice nick-