1892. Cassell’s Saturday Jl., 21 Sept., p. 13, col. 3. Of course my
makings varied considerably, and to some extent depended on the
success of my particular patrons at batting in the college matches.
Malady of France, subs. phr. (old).—Syphilis. For synonyms see Ladies’
Fever.
1599. Shakspeare, Henry V, v. 1. 87. News have I that my Nell is
dead i’ th’ spital Of Malady of France.
Malinger, verb. (old: now recognised).—To sham illness; to shirk duty.
1890. Century Dict., s.v. Malinger ... from F. malingrer, a slang
word meaning ‘suffer’ ... formerly applied to beggars who feigned
to be sick or injured in order to excite compassion.
1895. Pall Mall Gaz., No. 9542, p. 1. ‘Administering Angels.’ The
answer is comparatively simple: because the Shadow understands
English politics, and thought to gain by malingering.
Malingerer, subs. (old: now recognised).—A shirker under pretence of
sickness.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Malingeror. A military term for one who,
under pretence of sickness, evades his duty.
Malkin (Maukin or Mawkin), subs. (old).—1. Originally (Johnson) a
kitchen-wench (Moll for Mary + kin). Hence, a dish-clout; a scarecrow;
a wisp: and so, a slattern.
1579. Gosson, Schoole of Abuse, p. 37 (Arber). There are more
houses then Parishe Churches, more maydes then maulkin, more wayes
to the woode than one.
1596. Nashe, Have With You etc. [Grosart, iii. 169]. He makes a
maulkin and a shoo-clout of her.
1606. Dekker, Newes from Hell [Grosart, ii. 130]. Filthyer than a
Baker’s mawkin that hee sweeps his ouen with.
1610. Shakspeare, Coriol., ii. 1. The kitchen malkin pins Her
richest lockram round her reechy neck.
1629. Davenant, Albovine, iv. ’Las poor maulkin! she’s caught.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Malkin or maukin, a Scare-crow,
Drest and Set up to fright the birds.... Hence malkin-trash, for
one in a rueful Dress, enough to fright one. There are more Maids
than malkins. Mawks, the same abbreviated. Mawkish, a Wallowish,
ill Tast.
1693. Congreve, Old Bachelor, iii. 2. Thou maukin, made up of the
shreds and parings of his superfluous fopperies.
1728. Swift, Ballyspellin (Answer), [Chalmers, English Poets, xi.
525]. Your mawkins there smocks hempen wear. Of holland not an ell
in.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1847–50. Tennyson, Princess, v. 25. Or a draggled mawkin, thou.
1872. Gardener’s Chronicle, 22 Nov. Our old friend of the hat and
coat all stuffed with straw (in some districts called a mawkin) is
in nine cases out of ten useless.