Marplot, an officious bungler, who spoils everything he interferes with.
Marriage lines, a marriage certificate.—Provincial.
Marrow, a mate, a fellow-workman, a pitman who works in a “shift” with another.—Northumberland and Durham.
Marrow-bones, the knees; “I’ll bring him down upon his MARROW BONES,” i.e., I’ll make him bend his knees as he does to the Virgin Mary. Supposed to be from Mary Bones, an objectionable term used by the first Protestants in reference to the supposed adoration of the Virgin Mary by Catholics.
Marrowskying. See [Medical Greek].
Marry, a very old term of asseveration, originally (in Popish times) a mode of swearing by the Virgin Mary; q.d., by Mary.
Martingale, a gambling term, which means the doubling of a stake every time you lose; so that when you win once you win back all that you have lost. So called from the fact that, as in all fair games you must win once, you have a safe hold of fortune. The difficulty is to obtain a bank large enough to do this effectively, or having the bank to find any one who will follow you far enough, in a fair game.
Mary Ann, the title of the dea ex machinâ evolved from trades-unionism at Sheffield, to the utter destruction of recalcitrant grinders. She is supposed to do all the “blow-ups,” steal all the bands, and otherwise terrorize over victims of the union.
Marygold, one million sterling. See [PLUM].