Mouldy-grubs, subs. (common).—Travelling showmen; mountebanks who work
in the open without tent or covering. Mouldy-grubbing = working as
described.
Mouldy-’un, subs. (common).—A copper.
Mounch-present, subs. (old).—1. See quot.; (2) a glutton; and (3) one
who takes bribes. Also munch-present.
1530. Palsgrave, Maunche present, briffault.
1560–1. Awdley, Fraternitye of Vacabondes. Mounch present is he
that is a great gentleman, for when his mayster sendeth him with a
present, he wil take a tast thereof by the way. This is a bold
knave, that sometyme will eate the best and leave the worst for his
mayster.
Mounseer, subs. (colloquial).—A Frenchman.
1627. Drayton, Battle of Agincourt. A shoeless soldier there a man
might meet Leading his mounseer by the arms fast bound.
1719. Durfey, Pills, i. 98. The next a Nymph who to be Queen Her
Monsieur was engaging.
1755. Gent. Mag., xxv. 229. And now, thus ballasted—what course to
steer! Shall I again to sea—and bang mounseer.
1887. W. S. Gilbert, Savoy Songs, p. 14. Though he’s only a darned
mounseer, d’ye see?
Mount, subs. (common).—1. A saddle-horse.
1856. Whyte Melville, Kate Coventry, i. We ride many an impetuous
steed in safety and comfort that a man would find a dangerous and
uncontrollable mount.
1873. Miss Broughton, Nancy, vi. ‘His horses would certainly carry
me: I wonder would he give me a mount now and then.’
2. (venery).—1. A wife or mistress; and (2) an act of coition. [Cf.
Mrs. Mount in Richard Feverel].