The synonyms corresponding to various epochs are:—Under the Restauration “femme aimable,” a term of little significance. In Louis Philippe’s time, “lorette,” on account of the frail ones mostly dwelling in the Quartier Notre Dame de Lorette. Under the Third Empire “chignon doré” (it was then the fashion, as it still is, for such women to dye their hair a bright gold or auburn tint), or “cocodette,” the feminine of “cocodès,” young dandy. Now-a-days frequenters of the Boulevards use the term “boudinée,” “boudiné, bécarre, or pschutteux,” being the latest appellations for the Parisian “masher.” The term “musardine” must first have been applied to fast girls frequenting the Bals Musard, attended at the time by all the “dashing” elements of Paris. “In English polite society, a fast young lady,” says the Slang Dictionary, “is one who affects mannish habits, or makes herself conspicuous by some unfeminine accomplishment, talks slang, drives about in London, smokes cigarettes, is knowing in dogs and horses, &c.”
Musée, m. (popular), le —— des claqués, the Morgue.
Muselé, m. (popular), dunce, or “flat;” good-for-nothing man. Alluding to a muzzled dog who cannot use his teeth.
Musette, f. (popular), voice. Couper la —— à quelqu’un, to silence one, “to clap a stopper on one’s mug;” to cut one’s throat.
Musicien, m. (thieves’), dictionary; variety of informer, or “snitcher;” (familiar) —— par intimidation, a street melodist who obtains money from people desirous of getting rid of him.
J’y ai retrouvé aussi le “musicien par intimidation,” l’homme à la clarinette, qui s’arrête devant les cafés du boulevard en faisant mine de porter à ses lèvres le bec de son instrument. Les consommateurs épouvantés se hâtent de lui jeter quelque monnaie afin d’éviter l’harmonie.—Elie Frébault, La Vie de Paris.
It, however, occurs occasionally that people annoyed by the harmonists of the street have their revenge whilst getting rid of them without having to pay toll, as in the case of the “musicien par intimidation.” One day a French artist in London, who every day was almost driven mad by the performances of a band of green-coated German musicians, hit upon the following singular stratagem. Placing himself at the window, and facing his tormentors, he applied a lemon to his lips. The effect was instantaneous, as through an association of ideas the mouths of the musicians began to water to such an extent that, unable to proceed with their symphony, they surrendered the battlefield to the triumphant artist. (Popular) Des musiciens, beans, alluding to the wind they generate in the bowels. (Printers’) Des musiciens, large number of corrections made on the margin of pages; unskilled compositors who are unable to proceed with their work.
Musique, f. (popular), second-hand articles; odd pieces of cloth sewn together; kind of penny loaf. Termed also “flûte.” Also what remains in a glass; (thieves’) informing; informers.
La deuxième classe, que les voleurs désignent sous le nom de musique, est composée de tous les malfaiteurs qui, après leur arrestation, se mettent à table (dénoncent).—Canler.
Passer à la ——, to be placed in the presence of informers for identification; (card-sharpers’) swindling at cards.