Moderne, m. (familiar), young man of the “period,” in opposition to antique, old-fashioned.
Modillon, f. (modistes’), a second year apprentice at a modiste’s.
Modiste, m. (literary), formerly a journalist who sought more to pander to the tastes of the day than to acquire any literary reputation.
Moelleux, m. (popular), cotton, which is soft.
Moelonneuse, f. (popular), prostitute who frequents builders’ yards. See [Gadoue].
Moignons, m. pl. (popular), thick clumsy ankles. The Slang Dictionary says a girl with thick ankles is called a “Mullingar heifer” by the Irish. A story goes that a traveller passing through Mullingar was so struck with this local peculiarity in the women, that he determined to accost the next one he met. “May I ask,” said he, “if you wear hay in your shoes?” “Faith, an’ I do,” said the girl, “and what then?” “Because,” said the traveller, “that accounts for the calves of your legs coming down to feed on it.”
Moine, m. (familiar), earthen jar filled with hot water, which does duty for a warming pan; (printers’) spot on a forme which has not been touched by the roller, and which in consequence forms a blank on the printed leaf. Termed “friar” by English printers. (Popular) Mettre le ——, to fasten a string to a sleeping man’s big toe. By jerking the string now and then the sleeper’s slumbers are disturbed and great amusement afforded to the authors of the contrivance. This sort of practical joking seems to be in favour in barrack-rooms. Donner, or bailler le ——, was synonymous of mettre le ——, and, used as a proverbial expression, meant to bear ill luck.
Moine-lai, m. (popular), old military pensioner who has become an imbecile.
Moinette, f. (thieves’), nun, moine being a monk.
Moïse, m. (familiar and popular), man deceived by his wife. The term is old, for, says Le Roux, “Moïse, mot satirique, qui signifie cocu, homme à qui on a planté des cornes.”