Midge net, a lady’s veil.
Mike, an Irish hodman, or general labourer.
Mike, to loiter; or “lazy about.” The term probably originated in St. Giles’s, which is thronged with Irish labourers, who rarely or never labour (Mike being so common a term with them as to become a generic appellation for Irishmen), and who loiter and lean against the public-houses in the “Dials.” It has been said that the term is Old English, MICHE, to skulk, to loiter; Old Norse, MAK, leisure, idleness.
“Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a MICHER?”
Whatever may have been its origin, there can be now no doubt that the word is supposed to have particular reference to the habits of the Irish Mikes, or labourers, though now and again it is borrowed in the interests of others.
Mild, second-rate, inferior. See [DRAW IT MILD]. Also feeble, inefficient, as “a MILD attempt.” Weak young men who keep bulldogs, and dress in a “loud” stable style, from a belief that it is very becoming, are sometimes called “MILD bloaters.”
Milk, a term used in connexion with racing; when a horse is entered in a race for which his owner does not intend him to run, or at all events in which he does not intend him to win, and bets against him, the animal is said to “be MILKED.” Milking, is keeping a horse a favourite, at short odds, for a race in which he has no chance whatever, or in which he will not be allowed to try, for the purpose of laying against him.
Milky ones, white linen rags.
Mill, a fight, or set to. Ancient Cant, MYLL, to rob. Probably from the special opportunities afforded to pickpockets when the ring was a “national institution.”
Mill, to fight or beat.