Mother of Believers. The name bestowed by Mohammedans upon Ayesha, the favourite wife of “The Prophet,” styled “The Father of Believers.” Mohammed himself declared that Ayesha was the only member of his family who cherished the slightest faith in his mission. His preference for his second wife, therefore, can be readily understood.
Mother of Presidents. Virginia, on account of the many Presidents which this state has given to the American Republic.
Mother of South-Western Statesmen. Tennessee, from the seventeen eminent Congressmen which this state has given to the Union.
Mother of States. Virginia, the pioneer British colony in the New World.
Mother Red Cap. An omnibus stage in Camden Town, the sign of which perpetuates the memory of a notorious London poisoner during the Commonwealth.
Mother Shipton. A noted hostelry at Haverstock Hill, built when the prophecies of this Welsh sorceress were the common talk of the day. Some of her less baneful predictions were actually verified; notably those as to ships ploughing the ocean without sails and vehicles careering along the road without horses. Is it possible that she had the motor car in her mind?
Moulin Rouge. Expresses the French for “Red Mill.”
Mound City. St Louis, on account of the numerous artificial mounds occupying its site at the time when the city was built.
Mountain. The extremists of the Democratic party in France during the Reign of Terror, so called because they occupied the elevated benches in the House of Convention.
Mountain Dew. An Irishman’s term for whisky, because it was often secretly distilled among the mountains in order to escape excise duty; hence the expression: “A drop o’ the cratur.”