MARINE, or MARINE RECRUIT, an empty bottle. This expression having once been used in the presence of an officer of marines, he was at first inclined to take it as an insult, until some one adroitly appeased his wrath by remarking that no offence could be meant, as all that it could possibly imply was, “one who had done his duty, and was ready to do it again.”—See [HORSE MARINE].—Naval.
MARRIAGE LINES, a marriage certificate.—Provincial.
MARROWSKYING.—See [MEDICAL GREEK].
MARYGOLD, one million sterling.—See [PLUM].
MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS, when the leader of the House of Commons goes through the doleful operation of devoting to extinction a number of useful measures at the end of the session, for want of time to pass them.—Vide Times, 20th July, 1859: Mr. C. Foster, on altering the time of the legislative sessions.—Parliamentary slang.
MATE, the term a coster or low person applies to a friend, partner, or companion; “me and my MATE did so and so,” is a common phrase with a low Londoner.—Originally a Sea term.
MAULEY, a signature, from MAULEY, a fist; “put your FIST to it,” is sometimes said by a low tradesman when desiring a fellow trader to put his signature to a bill or note.
MAULEY, a fist, that with which one strikes as with a MALL.—Pugilistic.
MAUND, to beg; “MAUNDERING on the fly,” begging of people in the streets.—Old cant. Maung, to beg, is a term in use amongst the Gipseys, and may also be found in the Hindoo Vocabulary. Maund, however, is pure Anglo Saxon, from MAND, a basket. Compare “beg,” which is derived from BAG, a curious parallel.
MAW, the mouth; “hold your MAW,” cease talking.