1889. Daily News, 4 July. He had been through the mill, and could
do it again.
To bring grist to the mill, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be a source of
profit.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon [Century]. The computation of degrees, in
all matrimonial causes, is wont to be made according to the rules
of that law, because it brings grist to the mill.
To put through the mill, verb. phr. (common).—To put to trial: as a
horse before a race.
1872. Morning Post, 7 Nov. Totally disregarding the horse’s
retrogression in the betting after he was put through the mill I
advised my readers to make him a winner.
1888. Daily Telegraph, 24 Dec. The number of yearlings put through
the mill before Christmas is fewer than usual.
Mill-clapper, subs. (common).—The tongue: specifically of women.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
Mill-doll, subs. (obsolete).—The Bridewell, once situate in Bridge
Street Blackfriars.
1781. Messink, in Choice of Harlequin, ‘The Keeper of Bridewell’s
Song.’ I’m Jigger Dubber here, and you are welcome to mill doll.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. Bee, Dict. Turf, s.v.
Verb. (old).—To beat hemp in Bridewell; to do work on the treadmill.
See Mill-dolly.
1751. Fielding, Amelia, i. x. I am sent hither to mill doll.
1780. R. Tomlinson, Slang Pastoral, vi. When sitting with Nancy,
what sights have I seen!... But now she mills doll.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Mill-dolly, subs. (thieves’).—See quot.
1719. Smith, Lives of Highwaymen, i. 108. ‘Punisht at hard labour
in Bridewell, which beating of hemp, the thieves call mill dolly.’
Mill-dose, subs. (American thieves’).—Prison labour.—Matsell (1859).
Mill-lay, subs. (old).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Mill Lay. To force open the doors
of houses in order to rob them.
Miller, subs. (pugilistic).—1. A pugilist.
1823. Bee, Dict. Turf, s.v. Millers—second-rate boxers, whose arms
run round in rapid succession, not always falling very hard, or
with determinate object.
1837. S. Warren, Diary of a Late Physician, vii. The captain ...
being a first-rate miller, as the phrase is ... let fall a sudden
shower of blows about Mr. Marningham’s head and breast.
c. 1840. Hood, Miss Kilmansegg. Because she wouldn’t go to a mill,
She didn’t know when but remembered still, That the miller’s name
was Mendoza.