1884. Julian Sturgis, in Longmans’ Mag., iii. 617. Freddy and Tommy and Dicky have all MUFFED for the army. It’s really dreadful!
To muff a catch, verb. phr. (Stonyhurst).—To catch a ball against the chest, or in any way not clean with both hands. In cricket, as played at Stonyhurst, such a catch did not put the batsman out: obsolete.
Mug, verb (Winchester and Sherborne).—(1) To study; to work hard: e.g. I MUGGED all the morning, and shall thoke (Winchester) this afternoon. (2) To take pains; to beautify: e.g. “He has MUGGED his study, and made it quite cud.” [Cf. mug = to paint the face or “make up.”] Hence MUGSTER = a hard-working student. See -STER and Bat-mugger.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life, 122. The præfects would ... set to work MUGGING.
1881. Felstedian, Nov., p. 74. I remember that the senior præfect is going to get up to MUG early before chapel.
1890. G. Allen, The Tents of Shem, xxiv. “Miss Knyvett,” and he paused with his brush upturned, “you’re a sight too clever for me to talk to.” “Not clever,” Iris corrected; “only well read. I’ve MUGGED it up out of books, that’s all.” Ibid., ii. Instead of reading her “Odyssey” and her “Lucretius,” and MUGGING up amusing works on conic sections.
Muse, subs. (Charterhouse).—The Museum.
Mustard-and-Pepper Keeper, subs. phr. (Winchester).—An appointment in the gift of Præfect of Hall, which exempted the holder from Watching-out (q.v.) at cricket, or Kicking-in (q.v.) at football.—Mansfield (c. 1840). Obsolete.
Muttoner, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—A blow on the knuckles from a cricket-ball while holding the bat.
Muzz, verb (Westminster).—To read.