M140 archived entries
Made-uphappy, pleased
macinggetting goods by fraud
Madladan exuberant, high-spirited youth( an affectionate term)
Mae Wests(rhyming)the breasts
mag flyingchildren's street game
Maggie Maethe most notorious and most sung about of nineteenth century dockside prostitutes.
the most notorious and most sung about of nineteenth century dockside prostitutes.
Link to this entryMaggy Annmargarine
magic spongename for the swab brought out to wash off an injured player
magistratename for the player who sits on the bench waiting to be put into the game
name for the player who sits on the bench waiting to be put into the game
Link to this entrymaidena pull out drying rack in the public wash houses. They were great steel rods which were pushed on to clothing to help dry them, before ironing.
a pull out drying rack in the public wash houses. They were great steel rods which were pushed on to clothing to help dry them, before ironing.
Link to this entrymaiden's waterweak beer, or spirits. See "virgin's piddle."
Mairsey dopes an' dozey dopesderisory name for Merseyside.
make and menda period set apart for seamen to repair their clothes, and therefore a break time
a period set apart for seamen to repair their clothes, and therefore a break time
Mam. Me mam. My mother.
Mamna(Irish)Grandmother
Manca Mancunian (i.e., from Manchester)
man catchers(obsolete)persons who preyed on immigrants in a city such as Liverpool
Manchester Cities(rhyming)the breasts
Mangle, manglerironing machine
manky(sometimes spelled mancky)rotten, very inferior. The reference is to things Mancunian, which some used to believe was derivative and second rate.
rotten, very inferior. The reference is to things Mancunian, which some used to believe was derivative and second rate.
manna from hevvingbird droppings, especially those of seagulls
Mannishinwoman, girl
Marblesthe testicles
Mard (or marred)spoiled mard kid: a spoiled child mardy: petulant, whining
Marebelittling name for a woman, as in dirty mare or vicious little mare, or lazy mare The reference may be equine, but it more probably comes from Mary
belittling name for a woman, as in dirty mare or vicious little mare, or lazy mare The reference may be equine, but it more probably comes from Mary
Link to this entrymark someone's card, toto enlighten someone
Mark, athe life of the party, always "on," always providing spontaneous entertainment
Marks and Spencerreference to a couple who have been courting for a dozen years, or forever
reference to a couple who have been courting for a dozen years, or forever
Link to this entryMarli horsea white horse in a fanlight, taken to be a sign of respectability, particularly in Orange districts, because King Billy's horse was white.
a white horse in a fanlight, taken to be a sign of respectability, particularly in Orange districts, because King Billy's horse was white.
Link to this entryMarmaliseto chastise severely. Shaw writes that the word is a mixture of murder and paralyze. All no doubt sweetened by a bit of marmalade.
to chastise severely. Shaw writes that the word is a mixture of murder and paralyze. All no doubt sweetened by a bit of marmalade.
Link to this entryMarra-smashmarrow, gotten from smashing the leg bones of animals
Marringspoiling a person. See also "mard" on this list.
marrowfat peasanother name for mushy peas
Marshy Musketeers, TherThe Salvation Army, or the Sally Anns
Martin 'Enriescheap suits. Dem's Martin Enries: These are cheap clothes Shaw thinks that originally a Martin Henry designed workhouse suits. They are also attributed to a Victorian philanthropist who worked to get clothing to the poor.
cheap suits. Dem's Martin Enries: These are cheap clothes Shaw thinks that originally a Martin Henry designed workhouse suits. They are also attributed to a Victorian philanthropist who worked to get clothing to the poor.
Link to this entryMary Anna woman-dominated husband
Mary Ellen(obsolete)generic name for a prostitute early in the last century
mary(obsolete)another word for pot belly
matelota sailor
Mateycongenial. Cf. unmatey, meaning the opposite. Cf. also mateyness
Mayoress of Leeds stylea woman putting herself above her station. The tradition is that this is a person who is doing everything backwards. The Mayoress of Leeds was so very overwight that the only way she could leave the ceremonial coach was backwards.
a woman putting herself above her station. The tradition is that this is a person who is doing everything backwards. The Mayoress of Leeds was so very overwight that the only way she could leave the ceremonial coach was backwards.
Link to this entryme fat auntrubbish, something unbelievable. E.g., "That's all me fat aunt."
Me feller. My man-friend; my escort(even temporary)
meat wagonvehicles such as transits or black marias or horse boxes, which carry arrested persons and police.
vehicles such as transits or black marias or horse boxes, which carry arrested persons and police.
Link to this entryMeffa tramp
meghalfpenny, a small coin. In meg places means unimportant. Meg specks: the worst seats or vantage points for an event.
halfpenny, a small coin. In meg places means unimportant. Meg specks: the worst seats or vantage points for an event.
Link to this entryMeladdo. An unnamed, but known, person.
Melta worthless person Cow's melt or pig's melt may be the source of this word
a worthless person Cow's melt or pig's melt may be the source of this word
Link to this entrymermaid's pursespouches containing skate eggs, often found at the water's edge.
Merrydrunken and with it foul-tempered and quarrelsome
Mersey Funnel. De Mersey Funnel. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
Mersey Mountains, thea high rise apartment building in Merseyside
Merseypropismscreative, usually deliberately warped coinages, which the Cockney Muse can barely compete with, as for instance: ostrichized for ostracized parlatic or perlatic, for paralytic calling a drink the necktie of the gods to be prostituted with the heat aerated for aggravated He's been living on her immortal earnings They paid me a great condiment I useter to be left handed, but now I'm ambiguous She bought it cheap from a lady in seduced circumstances "Distinguish dem headlights," said the bobby He's hand in blouse wit dat barmaid I went into a brassiere for me supper Policeman on the docks asks a Scouser if he has any pornographic literature; Scouser replies that he doesn't even have a pornograph I cudden hear the word the priest said. The agnostics was so bad. We still got gas, you know, but I can't find any shops selling indecent mantles
creative, usually deliberately warped coinages, which the Cockney Muse can barely compete with, as for instance: ostrichized for ostracized parlatic or perlatic, for paralytic calling a drink the necktie of the gods to be prostituted with the heat aerated for aggravated He's been living on her immortal earnings They paid me a great condiment I useter to be left handed, but now I'm ambiguous She bought it cheap from a lady in seduced circumstances "Distinguish dem headlights," said the bobby He's hand in blouse wit dat barmaid I went into a brassiere for me supper Policeman on the docks asks a Scouser if he has any pornographic literature; Scouser replies that he doesn't even have a pornograph I cudden hear the word the priest said. The agnostics was so bad. We still got gas, you know, but I can't find any shops selling indecent mantles
Link to this entrymessage, to be onto be doing an errand
methsmentholated spirits
meter inspectorsardonic name for an sneak-thief who tries to gain entrance to houses by pretending that he is an official sent to read the meters
sardonic name for an sneak-thief who tries to gain entrance to houses by pretending that he is an official sent to read the meters
Link to this entryMickan Irishman As mad as a Mick in ther Nick: as angry as an Irishman in jail.
an Irishman As mad as a Mick in ther Nick: as angry as an Irishman in jail.
Link to this entryMickeya pigeon. De mickeys ar lettin on de roof. The pigeons are alighting on the roof.
a pigeon. De mickeys ar lettin on de roof. The pigeons are alighting on the roof.
Link to this entrymickey-snatchera person who steals pigeons
Middensanitary dust-bin. It usually refers to the wall bin out back, unloading into the alley. In Lancashire miden refers to a heap of dung or refuse.
sanitary dust-bin. It usually refers to the wall bin out back, unloading into the alley. In Lancashire miden refers to a heap of dung or refuse.
Link to this entrymidden-steads(obsolete)places where middens were located
midder, toto pester
Milk feller. De milk feller. The milkman.
milkiethe milkman
Milkshakesthe breasts
Mince Pies(rhyming)the eyes
Mincer(rhyming)tie Mince pie is the rhyming component
Minesweepera stealer of food or drink from the tables in a public house.
a stealer of food or drink from the tables in a public house.
Link to this entrymingebagscrotum, but the OED says it has also been used to refer to female genitalia.
scrotum, but the OED says it has also been used to refer to female genitalia.
Link to this entryMingeespolicemen
Mingymean, penny-pinching (from mean and stingy)
Mint imperialLiverpudlian for immaterial.
Mint Rocks(rhyming)socks
Minty Melda, Vinegar Verageneric, teasing references to women
Mischievous Night, or Mischief Nightthe night before Bonfire Night (November 5), when pranks were played everywhere with fireworks, etc. In Lancashire, Mischief Neet was the night before the first of May, when young men used to play all sorts of frolics and practical jokes upon their sleeping neighbors, such as exchanging tradesmen's sign-boards, boring holes in rain tubs, confiscating any stray articles left our in backyards, etc.
the night before Bonfire Night (November 5), when pranks were played everywhere with fireworks, etc. In Lancashire, Mischief Neet was the night before the first of May, when young men used to play all sorts of frolics and practical jokes upon their sleeping neighbors, such as exchanging tradesmen's sign-boards, boring holes in rain tubs, confiscating any stray articles left our in backyards, etc.
Link to this entrymiseried, to be(obsolete)to be sent to reformatory school
Misery mooa teetotaler
Miss Euphoriaa cocktail of morphine and gin
mission, aa criminal job
Mitts. Me mitts. My hands.
Mizzleto flee or disappear, usually to avoid the police. In Lancashire, to mizzle means to steal away quietly.
to flee or disappear, usually to avoid the police. In Lancashire, to mizzle means to steal away quietly.
Link to this entryMizzy. De Mizzy. Wavertree Park. Spiegl suggests that the word being played on here is "The Mystery," because of uncertainty of ownership before this became a municipal park. Another possibility is that "Mizzy" comes from the Maistrie or Master's Guild, possibly the Bluecoat, whose school still stands by the park. But the likely source is the Lancashire word "mizzy," which means a soft, boggy place(cf. mist). In Lancashire, "mizzle" means to rain finely, like Scotch mist.
mobiea mobile shop, which came to certain neighborhoods, selling a range of sweets and convenience foods.
a mobile shop, which came to certain neighborhoods, selling a range of sweets and convenience foods.
Link to this entryMobile dandruffbody lice
moby, aa mobile phone
Mock ham sandwichbread, margarine, mustard
Moeymouth, sometimes face.
Moggy. Are moggy. Our cat. In St. Helen's, moggy can refer to an insect. In certain areas of the region, it can refer to a mouse. In Scotland, it means mouse. It may be a corrupted form of "mongrel."
MojoMethylated spirits.
mokehorse, donkey, etc.
Molar-maulera dentist
moll(obsolete)girl
mongola mongoloid child
monkey, afive hundred pounds
monkey boata sea-going vessel which kept monkeys for mascots, rather than the traditional cats.
a sea-going vessel which kept monkeys for mascots, rather than the traditional cats.
Link to this entrymonkey nutsunshelled peanuts
Monkey 'ousemonastery
Moo, stupiddisdainful characterization of a woman
Moomilk
Moodies, thedoldrums, depression
Moodyin. I wuz moodyin. I was wandering about thoughtfully.
Mook inhelp yourself(to food). Mook in, yer at yer granny's. Also cf. "muck in" on this list.
help yourself(to food). Mook in, yer at yer granny's. Also cf. "muck in" on this list.
Link to this entrymook-cart(muck-cart)a refuse truck
moonlight flit to do ato move one's furniture and household possessions to another address in the middle of the night, to evade landlord, creditors, etc. In Lancashire, this was a "moonleet flittin."
to move one's furniture and household possessions to another address in the middle of the night, to evade landlord, creditors, etc. In Lancashire, this was a "moonleet flittin."
Link to this entrymooshthe lower portion of the face, around the mouth. Moosh can also refer to a prostitute's customer.
the lower portion of the face, around the mouth. Moosh can also refer to a prostitute's customer.
Link to this entryMop, toto drink, especially beer
Mopsedhalf drunk, or "scalloped."
mopus(obsolete)a farthing, or a small coin
moreish(obsolete)sleepily drunk
morgan look youanother word for a Welsh person
Moroccan Blackcannabis resin in block form
mortal sinany form of pleasure
Mosesa garrulous old man. Female equivalent: Moaning Minnie
a garrulous old man. Female equivalent: Moaning Minnie
Link to this entryMoses basketa container for carrying infants
Mother Superiorany kind of female boss Also called: a tawny owl, Auntie Muriel, and Mrs. McNamara( the leader of the band)
any kind of female boss Also called: a tawny owl, Auntie Muriel, and Mrs. McNamara( the leader of the band)
Link to this entryMother's MilkGuinness Stout
mother's ruin(obsolete)gin
Mountains o' Morn (rhyming)pawnbroker
Mousermoustache
MouthShe gorra mouf like a parish oven, i.e.,she is rather talkative, and her talk is vituperative..
She gorra mouf like a parish oven, i.e.,she is rather talkative, and her talk is vituperative..
Link to this entrymozzymosquito
Mrs McNamara(the leader of the band)any kind of female boss
Mrs. Womana tautological form of address, which means just Mrs.
Muck in, yer at yer granny's! Bon Appetit! Sometimes the invitation is to "tuck in.Muck in also can mean to pitch in and work cooperatively.
Muckman, Der muckmanthe refuse collector.
Mug, Ile mug yerAllow me to treat you. Spiegl notes the threat rather than the welcome in modern use of this word.
Allow me to treat you. Spiegl notes the threat rather than the welcome in modern use of this word.
Link to this entrymuggin headfoolish looking
Mugs for ragsa foolish person (insult)
mumtip(obsolete)payment to keep quiet
Mungarly(obsolete)food, chow
Murphia, theThe Irish Kosher Nostra (a whimsical notion)
Mury Helen( Mary Ellen)a working-class Liverpool woman, usually elderly and of scruffy appearance. Once know as a "shawlie" from the Irish habit of wearing a shawl. Less frequently called a Mury Han (Mary Ann). Shaw thinks that Mary Ellen eventually became generic for a Liverpool housewife. Cf. the music hall song, "I'm shy, Mary Ellen, I'm shy..." Much earlier, however, Mary Ellen could mean a prostitute.
a working-class Liverpool woman, usually elderly and of scruffy appearance. Once know as a "shawlie" from the Irish habit of wearing a shawl. Less frequently called a Mury Han (Mary Ann). Shaw thinks that Mary Ellen eventually became generic for a Liverpool housewife. Cf. the music hall song, "I'm shy, Mary Ellen, I'm shy..." Much earlier, however, Mary Ellen could mean a prostitute.
mush(obsolete)police station, lock up. To be mushed means to be brought in there
Musha neutral form of address, used less frequently than "wack."
a neutral form of address, used less frequently than "wack."
Link to this entryMush(or musher)now obsolete, the prostitute's name for the male customer, similar to the "John" or "the trick" in American prostitute slang. Moosh, with this meaning, is still heard in Liverpool among the police. A much older meaning of "musher," now obsolete, was seaman.
now obsolete, the prostitute's name for the male customer, similar to the "John" or "the trick" in American prostitute slang. Moosh, with this meaning, is still heard in Liverpool among the police. A much older meaning of "musher," now obsolete, was seaman.
Link to this entry