1851-81. H. Mayhew, London Lab., iii. 141. 'They talk of strolling actors living so jollily and well, but I never knew it fall to my share. What we call a mummer's feed is potatoes and herrings.'
1871. Newark Advertiser, 18 Jan. A party of mummers visited the towns and villages of North Notts during the past fortnight, and highly diverted the inhabitants by their dancing, singing of old songs, and the play of the Hobby Horse. The latter play was in existence in the days of the Plantagenets, and probably the song and tune which they sang, viz., 'When Joan's ale was new.'
1886. Fun, 4 August, p. 44. Now is the witching hour when country companies are formed, and mummers go on tour.
1893. Daily Telegraph, 30 March. Mr. J.L. Toole has humorously described how at the outset of his career he once took lodgings in a house, the proprietor of which, when the popular comedian went away, cordially shook hands with him, and said how delighted he should be to see him again, although he was a mummer; for, the prudent man added, 'the last mummers took away the chairs and tables.'
2. (pugilistic).—The mouth. For synonyms see Potato-trap.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1818. Egan, Boxiana, ii. 559. Then he hit him on the mummer, and on the ropes he dropped.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Mummery-cove, subs. (old).—An
actor. For synonyms see Cackling-cove.
Mumming-show, subs. (theatrical).—A
travelling entertainment; a
strolling company.
1871. London Figaro, 7 Oct. A scenic artist and actor in Theatres Royal at some goodly 3/- per week, and the same in a travelling mumming show, sharing at the drum-head my 4d. per night.
Mummy. To beat to a mummy,
verb. phr. (old).—To beat severely.
Mump, verb. (old).—1. To beg.
1624. Massinger, Parliament of Love, ii. 1. And, when she finds she is of all forsaken, Let my lady Pride repent in vain, and mump, And envy others' markets.
1633. Match at Midnight, ii. 1. Remember that you do not mump, as if you were chewing bacon.
1673. Davenant, Playhouse to Let, v. Of mumping minx would we were fairly out.
1678. Cotton, Virgil Travestie, in Works (1725), Bk. iv. p. 72. Then she begins to mump and smatter.
d. 1680. Rochester, A Dream. To see it mump, and wagg its upper lip.
1728. Bailey, English Dictionary, s.v. Mump . . . to spunge upon, to beg.
1755. Johnson, Eng. Dict. (1814), s.v. Mump. In cant language. To go a begging.
1820. Lamb, Elia (Two Races of Men). To say no to a poor petitionary rogue (your bastard borrower), who, by his mumping visnomy, tells you that he expects nothing better.
1849-61. Macaulay, Hist. Eng. xix. 'One prince came mumping to them annually with a lamentable story about his distresses.'
1866. Temple Bar, xvii. 183. Having mumped a small shop and several private houses.
1883. G.A. S[ala], Ill. London News, 17 Nov., p. 475, col. 3. Although the tramp when hard pressed solicits alms or food, he is not a mumping or professional beggar.
1887. W.E. Henley, Villon's Straight Tip. Bonnet, or tout, or mump and gag.
2. (old).—To overreach.
1671. Buckingham, Rehearsal, p. 23. I'm resolv'd to mump your proud players.
1673. Wycherley, Gentleman Dancing Master, iii. 1. You will mump the poor old father.
Mumper, subs. (old).—See quots.
1665, 1748, 1755, 1785 and
1876.
