1865. G. F. Berkely, Life etc., ii. 120. I shall never forget a
still hot day, or what would vulgarly be called a muggy lazy day in
June at the fullest time of the Park.
1871. London Figaro, 27 Jan. Here a north-east aspect means
exposure to the keenest winds that blow, to the sharpest frosts
that occur, to the most damp and dismal atmosphere whenever the
weather happens to be muggy in winter.
1873. Miss Broughton, Nancy, ch. xliv. ‘Nice and fresh! Much better
than one of those muggy days, when you can hardly breathe!’
1883. G. A. S[ala], in Illustr. London News, 30 June p. 647, col.
1. A temperature varying between raw chilliness one day and
oppressive mugginess the next.
Mughouse, subs. (old).—An alehouse. For synonyms see Lushing-cub.
1710. Tatler, No. 180. There is a mughouse near Long Acre.
Mug-hunter. See Pot-hunter.
Mugster, subs. (Winchester College).—One who mugs (q.v.). [Notions:
Ster is generally the termination of the agent, as in ‘Brockster’,
‘Thokester’, etc. Cf. Harrow termination er as in ‘footer’ = a
footballer; loather = one to be loathed. So revolter (q.v.); disguster
(q.v.). Cf. Mugger.]
1888. Times, 1 Feb., p. 12. col. 2. Remember the many epithets
applied to those who, not content with doing their work, commit the
heinous offence of being absorbed in it. Every school, every
college has had its choice nickname, for this unfortunate class ...
such as a ‘sap’, a ‘smug’, a ‘swot’, a ‘bloke’, a mugster.
Mug-trap, subs. (common).—A fool-catcher.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, 75. The ‘D. T.’ is a regular
mug-trap.
Mugwump, subs. (American).—1. A man of consequence. Hence (2) one who
sets himself up as better than his fellows; (3) an independent
Republican, who, in 1884 openly refused to vote for the party nominee;
and (4) a citizen who declines to take any part in politics. See quots.
1887 and 1896.
1840. Great Western, 4 July, ‘Leader’. Then the great mugwump was
delivered of a speech which the faithful loudly applauded.
1887. Cornhill Mag., June, p. 626. Mugwump ... is now generally
applied to those who profess to study the interests of their
country before those of their party.
1888. Norton, Political Americanisms, s.v. After the Independent
movement was started, the word was launched on its career of
popularity. The Critic of September 6th, 1884, contained a note to
the effect that the word was of Algonquin origin, and occurred in
Elliott’s Indian Bible, being used to translate such titles as
lord, high-captain, chief, great man, leader, or duke. In Matthew
vi. 21, it occurs as mukxuomp; and again in Genesis xxxvi. 40–43,
and several times in II. Samuel xxiii. As is frequently the case in
American politics, the word was used as a term of derision and
reproach by one section, and accepted with a half-humorous sense of
its aptness by the other.
1896. Morton Frewin, in National Review, Jan., p. 600. A nucleus of
pretentious political thinkers who get together to discuss counsels
of perfection. These superior beings ... are described in the
latest editions of American dictionaries as mugwumps.
Verb. (American).—To abstain from politics.
Also mugwumpery and mugwumpism = the habit of mugwumping.
1896. Morton Frewin, in National Review, Jan., p. 600. I fear,
however, that the warm heart of mugwumpery will no longer follow
that idol which had been shattered prematurely in 1884 but for this
handful of its votaries.
Mule, subs. (colloquial).—1. An obstinate person, male or female.
1891. W. C. Russell, Ocean Tragedy, 131. I saw that he was a mule
of a man.