Mamma. Latin for “breast”; hence all animals that are suckled by the mother belong to the class of “Mammals.”
Mammon. From the Syriac mamona, “riches.”
Manchester. Expresses the Anglo-Saxon for a common on the site of a Roman camp. The Friesic man in this sense enters into many place names also on the Continent.
Manchester Square. After the Duke of Manchester, the owner of the estate.
Manchuria. The territory of the Manchus, the founders of the present ruling dynasty of China.
Mandarin. Although this title is borne by officers of every grade in China the word is really Portuguese, mandar, to command. It was applied by the early settlers of Macao to the Chinese officials of that colony, and has remained a European designation for a Chinaman of rank ever since.
Manhattan. From the Indian munnohatan, “the town on the island.”
Manicure. The American mode of “Manicurist,” which, from the Latin manus, hand, literally means one who undertakes the care of the finger-nails.
Manitoba. After Manitou, the “Great Spirit” of the Alonquin Indians. This name is pronounced Manitobar not Manitobar.
Man in the Street. A metaphorical expression for the average man, with no more than a superficial knowledge of matters in general. Not belonging to a club, he has small means of adding to his own store of knowledge by daily communion with those better informed than himself.