Moonlight-flitting, subs. (common). See shooting the moon (q.v.). Also
London-flitting.
1802. Campbell, Journey, ii. 1. He made what is termed a moon-light
flitting.
1892. Cassell’s Sat. Jl., 28 Sep., p. 26, col. 3. He had done what
is known in Lancashire as a moonleet flit, or, in other words,
removed quietly in the dead of night, that nobody knew where he had
gone.
Moonlighting, subs. (Irish).—Playing the moonlighter (q.v.).
1888. Daily Chronicle, 17 Jan. The prisoners, with two other men,
were arrested on a charge of moonlighting in county Clare.
Moon-man, subs. (old).—See quots.
1603–8. Dekker, Lanthorne and Candlelight, viii. A mooneman
signifies in English a madman.... By a by-name they are called
gypsies, they call themselves Egiptians, others in mockery call
them moonemen.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Moon-men. Gypsies.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v.