Which means look out with all your eyes, I swear by the devil a magistrate is coming. Mirettes en caoutchouc, or en caouche, telescope; —— glacées, or en glacis, spectacles, or “gig-lamps.” Sans ——, blind, or “hoodman.”
Mireur, m. (popular), one who looks on intently; spy; person employed in the immense underground store cellars of the Halles to inspect provisions by candle-light.
Deux cents becs de gaz éclairent ces caves gigantesques, où l’on rencontre diverses industries spéciales. ... Les “mireurs,” qui passent à la chandelle une délicate révision des sujets. Les “préparateurs de fromages” qui font “jaunir” le chester, “pleurer” le gruyère, “couler” le brie ou “piquer” le roquefort.—E. Frébault.
Mirliflore, m. (familiar), a dandy of the beginning of the present century. For synonyms see [Gommeux]. The term has now passed into the language with the signification of silly conceited dandy or fop.
Nos mirliflors
Vaudroient-ils cet homme à ressorts?
Chansons de Collé.
Concerning the derivation of this word Littré makes the following remarks: “Il y avait dans l’ancien français mirlifique, altération de mirifique; on peut penser que mirliflore est une altération analogue où flor ou fleur remplace fique: qui est comme une fleur merveilleuse. Francisque Michel y voit une altération de mille-fleurs, dénomination prise des bouquets dont se paraient les élégants du temps passé.” It is more probable, however, that the term is connected with eau de mille-fleurs, an elixir of all flowers, a mixed perfume, and this origin seems to be borne out by the circumstance that after the Revolution of 1793 dandies received the name of “muscadins,” from musc, or musk, their favourite perfume. Workmen sometimes call a dandy “un puant.” See [this word].
Mirliton, m. (popular), nose, or “smeller.” For synonyms see [Morviau]. Also voice. Avoir le —— bouché, to have a bad cold in the head. Jouer du ——, to talk, “to jaw;” to blow one’s nose. Mirliton properly signifies a kind of reed-pipe.
Mirobolamment (familiar and popular), marvellously, “stunningly.”