MELON, _m._ (cadets’ of the military school of Saint-Cyr), _a
first-term student_. Called “snooker” at the R. M. Academy, and “John”
at the R. M. College of Sandhurst. (General) Un ----, _a dunce_, or
“flat.” Termed “thick” at Winchester School.
MEMBRE DE LA CARAVANE, _m._ (popular), _prostitute_, or “mot.” See
GADOUE. Euphemism for “chameau.”
MEMBRER (military), _to drill_; _to work_.
Poussant éternellement devant eux une brouette qu’ils
avaient soin de laisser éternellement vide, s’arrêtant
pour contempler ... les camarades qui membraient.
--=G. COURTELINE.=
MÉNAGE À LA COLLE, _m._ (familiar), _cohabitation of an unmarried
couple_, the lady being termed “wife in water-colours.”
MENDIANT, _m._ (familiar), à la carte, _a begging impostor who pretends
to have been sent by a person whose visiting card he exhibits_; ----
à la lettre, _begging-letter impostor_; ---- au tabac, _beggar who
pretends to pick up cigar ends_.
MENDIGOT, MENDIGO, or MENDIGOTEUR (popular), _a variety of the
brotherhood of beggars that visits country houses and collects at
the same time information for burglars_; a “putter up.” La faire au
mendigo, _to pretend to be begging_.
MENDIGOTER (popular), _to beg_.
MENÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _dozen_. Une ---- d’ornichons, _a dozen
chickens_.
MENER (military), pisser quelqu’un, _to compel one to fight a duel_.
(Popular) On ne le mène pas pisser, _he has a will of his own_, _one
can’t do as one likes with him_. N’en pas ---- large, _to be ill at
ease, or crestfallen_, “glum.”
Puis une fois la fumée dissipée, on verra une vingtaine
d’assistants sur l’flanc, foudrayés du coup en n’en m’nant
pas large.--=TRUBLOT=, _Cri du Peuple_.
(Thieves’) Mener en bateau, _to deceive_, “to stick.”
Ces patriarches, pères et fils de voleurs, ne restent pas
moins fidèles à leur abominable lignée. Ils n’instruisent
la préfecture que pour la mener en bateau.--_Mémoires de
Monsieur Claude._
Mener en bateau un pante pour le refaire, _to deceive a man in order to
rob him_, “to bamboozle a jay and flap him.”
MENESSE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _prostitute_, or “bunter,” see
GADOUE; _mistress_, or “doxy.”
MENÊTRE, _f._ (thieves’), _soup_.
MENEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman who entices a passer-by to some back
alley, where he is robbed, and sometimes murdered, by accomplices_.
Also _woman whose calling is to take charge of babies, and take them to
some country place, where they are left to the care of a wet nurse_.
MENGIN, or MANGIN, _m._ (familiar), _political or literary charlatan_.
From the name of a celebrated quack, a familiar figure of crossways
and squares in Paris under the Third Empire. He was attired in showy
costume of the Middle Ages, and sported a glistening helmet topped
by enormous plumes. He sold pencils, drew people’s caricatures at a
moment’s notice, and was attended by an assistant known under the name
of Vert-de-gris.
MÉNILMONTE, or MÉNILMUCHE (popular), _Ménilmontant, formerly one of the
suburbs of Paris_. According to Zola, the word is curiously used in
connection with the so-called sign of the cross of drunkards:--
Coupeau se leva pour faire le signe de croix des pochards.
Sur la tête il prononça Montpernasse, à l’épaule droite
Ménilmonte, à l’épaule gauche la Courtille, au milieu du
ventre Bagnolet, et dans le creux de l’estomac trois fois
Lapin sauté.--_L’Assommoir._
MENOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _money, or change_.
MENTEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _tongue_, or “prating cheat.” Termed also
“le chiffon rouge, la battante, la diligence de Rome, rouscaillante.”
MENU. See CONNAÎTRE.
MENUISIER. See CÔTELETTE.
MENUISIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _long coat_.
MÉQUARD, or MÉGARD, _m._ (thieves’), _head of a gang_, or “dimber
damber.” From mec, _master_, _chief_.
MÉQUER (thieves’), _to command_. From meq, meg, _chief_, _head of
gang_, or “dimber damber.”
MERCADET, _m._ (familiar), _man who sets on foot bubble companies,
swindling agencies, and other fishy concerns_. A character of Balzac.
MERCANDIER, _m._ (popular), _butcher who retails only meat of inferior
quality_.
MERCANTI, _m._, _name given by the army in Africa to traders, generally
thievish Jews_.
Cependant les mercantis, débitants d’absinthe empoisonnée
et de vins frelatés, escrocs, banqueroutiers, repris de
justice, marchands de tout acabit.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous
le Burnous_.
MERDAILLON, _m._ (popular), _contemptible man_, or “snot.”
MERDE, _f._ (thieves’), de pie, _fifty-centime piece_. (Popular) Faire
sa ----, _to give oneself airs_, _to look_ “botty.” Des écrase ----,
_fashionable boots, as now worn, with large low heels_. Termed also
“bottines à la mouget.”
MERDEUX, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed to empty cesspools_,
“gold-finder;” _despicable mean fellow_, “snot.”
MÈRE, _f._ (popular), abbesse, _mistress of a brothel_; ---- de
petite fille, _bottle of wine_; ---- d’occase, _procuress who plays
the part of a young prostitute’s mother, or a beggar who goes about
with hired children_; ---- aux anges, _woman who gives shelter to
forsaken children, and hires them out to mendicants_; (thieves’) ----
au bleu, _guillotine_. See VOYANTE. (Corporations’) Mère, _innkeeper,
where_ “compagnons,” _or skilled artisans of a corporation, hold their
meetings_. The compagnons used to individually visit all the towns of
France, working at each place, and the long journey was termed “tour de
France.”
MÉRINOS, _m._ (popular), _man with an offensive breath_. Manger du
----, _to play billiards_, or “spoof.”
MERLANDER (popular), _to dress the hair_. From merlan, popular
expression for _hairdresser_.
MERLIFICHE, _m._ (thieves’), _mountebank_, _showman_. Probably from
“merlificque,” used by Villon with the signification of _marvellous_.
MERLIN, _m._ (popular), _leg_, “pin.” Un coup de passif dans le ----,
_a kick on the shin_.
MERLOU. See MARLOU.
MERLOUSIER, MERLOUSIÈRE, _adj._ (thieves’), _cunning_. La dabuche est
merlousière, _the lady is cunning_.
MERLUCHE, _f._ (popular), pousser des cris de ----, _to squall_; _to
scold vehemently_.
MERRIFLAUTÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _warmly clad_.
MÉRUCHÉ, _f._, MÉRUCHON, _m._ (thieves’), _stove_, _frying-pan_.
MÉRUCHÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _stoveful_.
MERVEILLEUX, _m._ (familiar), _dandy of 1833_. See GOMMEUX.
A l’avant-scène se prélassait un jeune merveilleux agitant
avec nonchalance un binocle d’or émaillé.--=TH. GAUTIER.=
The _Slang Dictionary_ includes the word “dandy” among slang
expressions. It says: “Dandy, _a fop, or fashionable nondescript_.
This word, in the sense of a fop, is of modern origin. Egan says it
was first used in 1820, and Bee in 1816. Johnson does not mention it,
although it is to be found in all late dictionaries. Dandies wore
stays, studied a feminine style, and tried to undo their manhood by all
manner of affectations which were not actually immoral. Lord Petersham
headed them. At the present day dandies of this stamp have almost
entirely disappeared, but the new school of muscular Christians is not
altogether faultless. The feminine of dandy was dandizette, but the
term only lived for a short season.”
MÉSIGO, MÉZIÈRE, MÉZIGUE, (thieves’), _I_, _me_, “dis child,” as the
negroes say; ---- roulait le trimard, _I was tramping along the road_.
MESSE, _f._ (popular), être à la ----, _to be late_. Nous avons été à
la ---- de cinq minutes, _we were five minutes late_. (Thieves’) La
---- du diable, _examination of a prisoner by a magistrate, or trial_,
an ordeal the unpleasant nature of which is eloquently expressed by the
words. Termed by English rogues “cross kidment.”
MESSIADIEN, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _convicted_, _sentenced_,
“booked.” The epithet is applied to one who has been compelled to
attend “la messe du diable,” with unpleasant consequences to himself.
Il est ---- à six bergarès plombes, _he is in for six years’ prison_,
“put away” for “six stretches;” ---- pour pégrasse, _convicted for
stealing_, “in for a vamp.” Il fagaut ta magnette blague de maniagnère
que tu n’es paga les pindesse dans le dintesse pour pégrasse, autrement
tu es messiadien et tu laveragas tes pieds d’agnet dans le grand pré,
which signifies, in the thieves’ jargon of the day, _You must take an
alias, so that you may escape the clutches of the police; if not, you
will be convicted and transported_.
MESSIER, or MESSIÈRE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_; _inhabitant_. A form of
mézière, _a fool_. Les messiers de cambrouse, _the country folk_, or
“clods.”
MESSIÈRE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_; _victim_; ---- de la haute,
_well-to-do man_, “nib cove, or gentry cove;” ---- franc, _citizen_;
_individual_, or “cove.”
MESSIRE LUC, _m._ (familiar), _breech_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS.
MESURE, _f._ (popular), prendre la ---- des côtes, _to thrash_, “to
wollop.”
MÉTHODE CHEVÉ, _f._ (familiar and popular), _playing billiards in an
out-of-the-way fashion--with two cues, for instance, or by pushing the
balls with the hand_.
MÉTIER, _m._ (artists’), _skill in execution_; _clever touch_. Avoir un
---- d’enfer, _to paint with great manual skill_.
MÈTRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), chevalier du ----, _shopman_,
“counter-jumper, or knight of the yard.”
METTEUX, _m._ (printers’), _metteur en pages, or maker-up_.
METTRE (general), au clou, _to pawn_, “to put in lug,” or “to pop up
the spout.” An allusion to the spout up which the brokers send the
ticketed articles until such time as they shall be redeemed. The spout
runs from the ground-floor to the wareroom at the top of the house.
English thieves term pawning one’s clothes, “to sweat one’s duds.” Le
----, is explained by the following:--
Mot libre, pour chevaucher, faire le déduit, se divertir
avec une femme. Ce mot est équivoque et malicieux, car une
personne laisse-t-elle tomber son busque ou son gant? On
dit, Mademoiselle, voulez-vous que je vous le mette?
--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_.
Termed, in the language of the Paris roughs, “mettre en prison.”
Mets ça dans ta poche et ton mouchoir par dessus, _said of a blow or
repartee, and equivalent to, take that and think over it, or digest
it, or let it be a warning to you_, “put that in your pipe and smoke
it.” Mettre à l’ombre, or dedans, _to imprison_, “to give the clinch.”
See PIPER. Mettre à l’ombre signifies also _to kill_, “to cook one’s
goose;” ---- du pain dans le sac de quelqu’un, _to beat one, or to kill
him_; ---- dans le mille, _to be successful_, _to have a piece of good
luck_, or “regular crow;” _to hit the right nail on the head_.
D’abord en passant, faut y’ régler son affaire à mon
aminche eul’ zig Gramont d’ l’Intransigeant, qu’a mis
dans l’mille en disant qu’ eul’ Théâtre de Paris sera
naturaliste ou qu’i ne sera pas.--=TRUBLOT=, _Cri du
Peuple_.
Mettre quelqu’un dedans, _to deceive_, _to cheat one_, _to outwit_, “to
take a rise out of a person.”
A metaphor from fly-fishing, the silly fish rising to be
caught by an artificial fly.--_Slang Dictionary._
Le ---- à quelqu’un, _to deceive one_, “to bamboozle” _one_.
Du reste, c’est un flanche, vous voulez me le mettre ... je
la connais.--=V. HUGO.=
(Popular) Mettre la tête à la fenêtre, _to be guillotined_. See FAUCHÉ.
Mettre une pousse, _to strike_, _to thrash_, “to wallop;” ---- à pied,
_to dismiss from one’s employment temporarily or permanently_; ----
quelqu’un dans la pommade, _to beat one at a game_; ---- en bringue,
_to smash_; ---- des gants sur ses salsifis, _to put gloves on_; ----
la table pour les asticots, _to become food for the worms_. See PIPE.
Mettre sous presse, _to pawn_, _to put_ “in lug.” Se ---- sur les fonts
de baptême, _to get involved in some difficulty_, _to be in a fix_, _in
a_ “hole.” (Theatrical) Se ---- en rang d’oignons _is said of actors
who place themselves in a line in front of the foot-lights_. Formerly
mettre en rang d’oignons meant _to admit one into a company on an equal
standing with the others_. (Thieves’) Mettre en dedans, _to break open
a door_, “to strike a jigger;” ---- la pogne dessus, _to steal_, “to
nim.” From the old English nim, _to take_, says the _Slang Dictionary_.
Motherwell, the Scotch poet, thought the old word nim (_to snatch or
pick up_) was derived from nam, nam, the tiny words or cries of an
infant when eating anything which pleases its little palate. A negro
proverb has the word:--
Buckra man nam crab,
Crab nam buckra man.
Or, in the buckra man’s language,
White man eat (for steal) the crab,
And then crab eat the white man.
Shakespeare evidently had the word nim in his head when he portrayed
Nym. Mettre une gamelle, _to escape from prison_. Se ---- à table, _to
inform against one_, “to blow the gaff,” “to nick.” See GRINCHIR.
En v’là un malheur si la daronne et les frangines allaient
se mettre à table.--=VIDOCQ.= (_That’s a misfortune if the
mother and the sisters inform._)
(Popular and thieves’) Se ---- en bombe, _to escape from prison_.
Mon magistrat, ... nous nous sommes tirés pour faire la
noce. Nous sommes en bombe! Nous n’avons plus de braise et
nous venons nous rendre.--_Un Flâneur._
Mettre sur la planche au pain, _to put a prisoner on his trial_, “in
for patter;” (military) ---- le chien au cran de repos, _to sleep_;
---- le moine, _to fasten a cord to a sleeping man’s big toe, and to
teaze him by occasionally jerking it_; ---- les tripes au soleil, _to
kill_.
A force d’entendre des phrases comme celles-ci: crever
la paillasse, mettre les tripes au soleil, taillader
les côtes, brûler les gueules, ouvrir la panse, je m’y
étais habitué et j’avais fini par les trouver toutes
naturelles.--=H. FRANCE=, _L’Homme qui Tue_.
(Bullies’) Mettre un chamègue à l’alignement, _to send a woman out to
walk the streets as a prostitute_.
MEUBLE, _m._ (popular), _sorry-looking person_.
MEUBLER (familiar), _to pad_.
MEUDON, _m._ (thieves’), grand ----, _police_, _the_ “reelers.”
MEULAN. See ARTIE.
MEULARD, _m._ (thieves’), _calf_. In old English cant “lowing cheat.”
MEULES DE MOULIN, _f. pl._ (popular), _teeth_, or “grinders.”
MEUNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _receiver_, or “fence.” Porter au moulin _is
to take stolen property to the receiver_, “to fence the swag.”
MEURT-DE-FAIM, _m._ (popular), _penny loaf_.
MÉZIÈRE, _adj., pron., and m._ (thieves’), _simple-minded_, _gullible_.
Etre ----, _to be a_ “cull or flat.” The word, says Michel, derives its
origin from the confidence-trick swindle, when one of the confederates
who acts the part of a foreigner, and who pretends to speak bad French,
addresses the pigeon as “mézière” instead of “monsieur.”
Moi vouloir te faire de la peine! plutôt être gerbé à
vioque (jugé à vie); faut être bien mézière (nigaud) pour
le supposer.--=VIDOCQ.=
Mézière, _I_, _me_, _myself_. Le havre protège ----, _God protect me_.
Un ----, _a_ “flat,” _name given by thieves to their victims_.
Depuis que nous nous sommes remis à escarper les mézières,
il ne nous en est pas tombé sous la poigne un aussi
chouette que celui-ci.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Since we began again to
kill the flats, we haven’t had in our claws a single one as
rich as that one._)
MÉZIGUE, MÉZIGO (thieves’), _I_, _myself_.
Auquel cas, c’ serait pas long; mézigue sait c’ qu’y lui
rest’rait à faire.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_.
MIB, or MIBRE, _m._ (street boys’), _thing in which one excels_;
_triumph_. C’est mon ----, _that’s just what I am a dab at_. C’est ton
----, _you’ll never do that_; _that beat’s you hollow_.
MICHAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _head_, or “tibby, nob, or knowledge box.”
Faire son ----, _to sleep_, “to doss.”
MICHE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _lace_, or “driz.” An allusion to
the holes in a loaf of white bread. Miche, or ---- de profonde, _money_.
The term in this case exactly corresponds to the English “loaver.”
MICHÉ, _m._ (general), _client of a prostitute_. Literally _one who
has_ “michon,” _or money_, _who_ “forks out.”
Les filles isolées, soit en carte, soit insoumises ...
ont, par contre, le désagrément d’éprouver souvent
certains déboires. Le client n’est pas toujours un “miché”
consciencieux.--=LÉO TAXIL.=
Faire un ----, _to find a client_, or “flat.” Un ---- de carton,
_client who does not pay well, or who does not pay at all_. Un ----
sérieux, _one who pays_.
Les femmes appellent “michés sérieux” les clients qui
“montent” et “flanelles” ceux qui se contentent de
“peloter” et de payer un petit verre.--=LÉO TAXIL.=
Concerning the language of such women Léo Taxil says:--“On a prétendu
que toutes les prostituées de Paris avaient un argot ou un jargon
qui leur était particulier ... ceci n’est pas exact ... nous avons vu
qu’elles désignent le client sous le nom de ‘miché,’ le visiteur qui
ne monte pas sous celui de ‘flanelle.’ Pour elles, les inspecteurs des
mœurs sont des ‘rails,’ un commissaire de police un ‘flique,’ une jolie
fille une ‘gironde’ ou une ‘chouette,’ une fille laide un ‘roubiou,’
etc. Ce sont là des expressions qui font partie du langage des
souteneurs qui, eux, possèdent un véritable argot; elles en retiennent
quelques mots et les mêlent à leur conversation. Quant aux prostituées
qui s’entendent avec les voleurs et qui n’ont recours au libertinage
que pour cacher leur réelle industrie, il n’est pas étonnant qu’elles
aient adopté le jargon de leurs suppôts; mais on ne peut pas dire que
ce langage soit celui des prostituées.” (Popular) Miché, _fool_. From
Michel. It is to be remarked, after Montaigne, that many names of
men have been taken to signify the word fool; such are Grand Colas,
Jean-Jean, and formerly Gautier, Blaise. (Photographers’) Miché,
_client_. (Familiar and popular) Un vieux ----, _an old beau_.
Tel, au printemps, un vieux miché
Parade en galante toilette.
=GILL.=
MICHEL, _m._ (fishermen’s), cassant ses œufs, _thunder_. (Military) Ça
fait la rue ----, _it’s the same for everybody_.
Eh bien, si j’y coups pas, v’là tout, j’coucherai à la
boîte comme les camarades, et ça fera la rue Michel.
--=G. COURTELINE.=
MICHELET, _m._ (popular), faire le ----, _to feel about in a crowd of
women_, not exactly with righteous intentions.
MICHET, MICHÉ, or MICHETON, _m._ (popular), _client of a prostitute_.
Elles tournent la tête et jetant sur ce type,
Par dessus leur épaule, un regard curieux,
Songent: oh! si c’était un miché sérieux!
=GILL.=
MICHON, _m._ (thieves’), _money_ which procures a miche, or a _loaf_,
“loaver.” See QUIBUS.
C’est ce qui me fait ambier hors de cette vergne; car si je
n’eusse eu du michon je fusse côni de faim.--_Le Jargon de
l’Argot._
Foncer du ----, _to give money_, “to grease the palm.”
MIDI! (popular), _too late!_ Il est ----, _a warning to one to be on
his guard_; _I don’t take that in!_ “not for Joe!” Il est ---- sonné,
_it’s not for you_; _it is impossible_.
Faut pas te figurer comme ça qu’ t’as l’droit de t’coller
un bouc ... quand tu seras de la classe, comme me v’là, ça
s’pourra; mais jusque-là c’est midi sonné.--=G. COURTELINE.=
MIE, _f._ (popular), de pain, _louse_, or “grey-backed ’un;”
(printers’) _thing of little value_, or “not worth a curse.”
Compositeur ---- de pain, _an unskilled compositor_, _or clumsy_
“donkey.”
MIEL! (popular), _euphemism for a coarser word_, “go to pot!” “you be
hanged!” C’est un ----, _is expressive of satisfaction, or is used
ironically_. Of a good thing they say: “C’est un miel!” On entering
a close, stuffy place: “C’est un miel!” Of a desperate street fight:
“C’est un miel!” “a rare spree!” “what a lark!” (=DELVAU=).
MIELLÉ! _adj._ (popular), du sort, _happy_; _fortunate in life_.
Il n’était pas plus miellé du sort, il n’avait pas la vie
plus en belle.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_.
MIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _term of endearment_; _child_, or “kid.”
MIGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _mistress_, or “mollisher.”
J’avais bonheur, argent, amour tranquille, les jours se
suive mais ne se ressemble pas. Mon mignon connaissait
l’anglais, l’allemand, très bien le français, l’auvergna et
l’argot.--_From a thief’s letter, quoted by L. Larchey._
(Popular and thieves’) Mignon de port (obsolete), _porter_. Mignon had
formerly the signification of _foolish_, _ignorant_.
MIGNOTER (popular), _to fondle_, “to forkytoodle.”
MIKEL, _m._ (mountebanks’), _dupe_, or “gulpin.”
MILIEU, _m._ (popular), _breech_, or “Nancy.”
MILLARDS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _in olden times a variety of the cadger
tribe_.
Millards sont ceux qui trollent sur leur andosse de gros
gueulards; ils truchent plus aux champs qu’aux vergnes,
et sont haïs des autres argotiers, parce qu’ils morfient
ce qu’ils ont tout seuls.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_The
“millards” are those who carry a large bag on their back;
they beg in the country in preference to the towns, and are
hated by their brethren because they eat all alone what
they get._)
MILLE, _m. and f._ (familiar), mettre dans le ----, _to meet with a
piece of good luck_, or “regular crow;” _to_ _be successful_. One often
sees at fairs a kind of machine for testing physical strength. A pad
is struck with the fist, and a needle marks the extent of the effort,
“le mille” being the maximum. (Thieves’) Mille, _woman_, or “burrick”
(obsolete).
MILLE-LANGUES, _m._ (popular), _talkative person_; _tatler_.
MILLE-PERTUIS, _m._ (thieves’), _watering pot_ (obsolete).
MILLERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _lottery_. Thus termed on account of the
thousands which every holder of a ticket hopes will be his.
MILLET, MILLOT, _m._ (popular), _1,000 franc bank-note_. From mille.
MILLIARDAIRE, _m._ (familiar), _very rich man_, _one who rolls on gold_.
C’est de cette époque que date aujourd’hui sa fortune car
il est aujourd’hui milliardaire.--=A. SIRVEN.=
MILLOUR, _m._ (thieves’), _rich man_, “rag splawger” (obsolete). From
the English _my lord_.
MILORD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _rich man_; ---- l’Arsouille,
_nickname of Lord Seymour_. See ARSOUILLE.
Les Folies-Belleville ... où Milord l’Arsouille
engueulait les malins, cassait la vaisselle et boxait les
garçons.--=P. MAHALIN.=
MINCE, _m. and adv._ (thieves’), _note-paper_; _bank-note_, or “soft.”
(Popular) The word has many significations: it means, _of course_;
_certainly_; _much_.
Dois-tu comme Walder,
Et comme la muscade,
Te donner mince d’air
Après ton escapade?
=RAMINAGROBIS.=
Mince! _no_; _certainly not_. It is sometimes expressive of
disappointment or contempt. Tu n’as plus d’argent? ah! ---- alors, _you
have no money? hang it all then!_ Il a ---- la barbe, _he is completely
drunk_. Pensez si je me marre, ah! ----! _don’t I get amused, just!_
Aux plus rupins il disait ----, _even to the strongest he said_, “you
be hanged! “Mince de potin! _a fine row!_ ---- de crampon! _an awful
bore!_ ---- que j’en ai de l’argent! _haven’t I money? of course I
have!_ Ah! ---- alors! _to the deuce, then!_ Mince de chic, _glass of
beer_. The ejaculation mince! in some cases may find an equivalent in
the English word rather! an exclamation strongly affirmative. It is
also used as an euphemism for an obscene word.
Et moi sauciss’, j’su quand j’turbine.
Mais, bon sang! la danse s’débine
Dans l’coulant d’air qui boit ma sueur.
Eux aut’s, c’est pompé par leur linge.
Minc’ qu’ils doiv’ emboucanner l’singe.
Vrai, c’est pas l’linge qui fait l’bonheur.
=RICHEPIN.=
MINE, _f._ (popular), à poivre, _low brandy shop_.
Lui était un bon, un chouette, un d’attaque. Ah! zut! le
singe pouvait se fouiller, il ne retournait pas à la boîte,
il avait la flemme. Et il proposait aux deux camarades
d’aller au _Petit bonhomme qui tousse_, une mine à poivre
de la barrière Saint-Denis, où l’on buvait du chien tout
pur.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_.
Une ---- à chier dessus, _ugly face_, “knocker face.”
Qu’est-ce qu’il vient nous em ... ieller, celui-là, avec sa
mine à chier dessus.--=RIGAUD.=
MINERVE, _f._ (printers’), _small printing machine worked with the
foot_.
MINERVISTE, _m._ (printers’), _one who works the_ Minerve (which see).
MINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _Manceau, or native of Le Mans_.
MINIK (Breton cant), _small_.
MINISTRE (military), _sumpter mule_; (peasants’) _ass_, “moke,” _or
mule_.
MINOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _nose_, or “conk” (obsolete).
MINOTAURE, _m._ (familiar), _deceived husband_, “stag face.” The
expression is Balzac’s.
Je serais le dernier de M. Paul de Kock; minotaure, comme
dit M. de Balzac.--=TH. GAUTIER.=
MINOTAURISER QUELQU’UN (familiar), _to seduce one’s wife_. An allusion
to the horns of the Minotaur.
Quand une femme est inconséquente, le mari, serait, selon
moi, minotaurisé--=BALZAC.=
MINSON (Breton cant), _bad_; _badly_.
MINSONER (Breton cant), _mean_.
MINTZINGUE, _m._ (popular), _landlord of wine-shop_.
Mais sapristi, jugez d’mon embargo,
Depuis ce temps elle est toujours pompette,
Et chez l’mintzingue ell’ croque le magot.
_Almanach Chantant_, 1869.
MINUIT, _m._ (thieves’), _negro_. Termed also, in different kinds of
slang, “Bamboula, boule de neige, boîte à cirage, bille de pot-au-feu,
mal blanchi,” and in the English slang, “snowball, Sambo, bit o’ ebony,
blacky.” Enfant de ---- meant formerly _thief_. Enfants de la messe de
minuit, says Cotgrave, “_quiresters of midnights masse; night-walking
rakehells, or such as haunt these nightly rites, not for any devotion,
but only to rob, abuse, or play the knaves with others_.”
MINZINGUE, or MINZINGO, _m._ (popular), _landlord of tavern_. Termed
also manzinguin, mindzingue.
La philosophie, vil mindzingue, quand ça ne servirait qu’à
trouver ton vin bon.--=GRÉVIN.=
MION, _m._ (thieves’), child, or “kid;” ---- de gonesse, _stripling_;
---- de boule, _thief_, “prig.” See GRINCHE.
MIPE, _m._ (thieves’), faire un ---- à quelqu’un, _to outdrink one_.
MIRADOU, _m._ (thieves’), _mirror_.
MIRANCU, _m._ (obsolete), _apothecary_.
Respect au capitaine Mirancu! Qu’il aille se coucher
ailleurs, car s’il s’avisoit de jouer de la seringue, nous
n’avons pas de canesons pour l’en empêcher.--_L’Apothicaire
empoisonné_, 1671.
Mirancu, a play on the words mire en cul, which may be better explained
in Béralde’s words, in Molière’s _Le Malade Imaginaire_:--
Allez, monsieur; on voit bien que vous n’avez pas accoutumé
de parler à des visages.
MIRECOURT, _m._ (thieves’), _violin_. The town of Mirecourt is
celebrated for its manufactures of stringed instruments. Rigaud says
that it is thus termed from a play on the words mire court, _look on
from a short distance_, the head of the performer being bent over the
instrument, thus bringing his eyes close to it.
MIRE-LAID, _m._ (popular), _mirror_. An expression which cannot be
gratifying to those too fond of admiring their own countenances in the
glass.
MIRETTES, _f. pl._ (popular and thieves’), _eyes_, “peepers, ogles,
top-lights, or day-lights.” Fielding uses the latter slang term:--
Good woman! I do not use to be so treated. If the lady
says such another word to me, damn me, I will darken her
day-lights.--=FIELDING=, _Amelia_.
In old cant eyes were termed “glaziers.”
Toure out with your glaziers, I swear by the ruffin,
That we are assaulted by a queer cuffin.
=BROOME=, _A Jovial Crew_.
Which means _look out with all your eyes, I swear by the devil
a magistrate is coming_. Mirettes en caoutchouc, or en caouche,
_telescope_; ---- glacées, or en glacis, _spectacles_, or “gig-lamps.”
Sans ----, _blind_, or “hoodman.”
MIREUR, _m._ (popular), _one who looks on intently_; _spy_; _person
employed in the immense underground store cellars of the Halles to
inspect provisions by candle-light_.
Deux cents becs de gaz éclairent ces caves gigantesques,
où l’on rencontre diverses industries spéciales.... Les
“mireurs,” qui passent à la chandelle une délicate révision
des sujets. Les “préparateurs de fromages” qui font
“jaunir” le chester, “pleurer” le gruyère, “couler” le brie
ou “piquer” le roquefort.--=E. FRÉBAULT.=
MIRLIFLORE, _m._ (familiar), _a dandy of the beginning of the present
century_. For synonyms see GOMMEUX. The term has now passed into the
language with the signification of _silly conceited dandy or fop_.
Nos mirliflors
Vaudroient-ils cet homme à ressorts?
_Chansons de Collé._
Concerning the derivation of this word Littré makes the following
remarks: “Il y avait dans l’ancien français _mirlifique_, altération
de _mirifique_; on peut penser que mirliflore est une altération
analogue où _flor_ ou _fleur_ remplace fique: qui est comme une
fleur merveilleuse. Francisque Michel y voit une altération de
_mille-fleurs_, dénomination prise des bouquets dont se paraient
les élégants du temps passé.” It is more probable, however, that
the term is connected with _eau de mille-fleurs_, an elixir of all
flowers, a mixed perfume, and this origin seems to be borne out by the
circumstance that after the Revolution of 1793 dandies received the
name of “muscadins,” from _musc_, or musk, their favourite perfume.
Workmen sometimes call a dandy “un puant.” See this word.
MIRLITON, _m._ (popular), _nose_, or “smeller.” For synonyms see
MORVIAU. Also _voice_. Avoir le ---- bouché, _to have a bad cold in
the head_. Jouer du ----, _to talk_, “to jaw;” _to blow one’s nose_.
Mirliton properly signifies a kind of reed-pipe.
MIROBOLAMMENT (familiar and popular), _marvellously_, “stunningly.”
MIROBOLANT, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _excellent_, “slap-up, or
scrumptious;” _marvellous_, “crushing.”
Eh! c’est la bande! c’est la fameuse, la superbe,
l’invincible, à jamais triomphante, séduisante et
mirobolante bande du Jura.--_Bande du Jura._ _Madame de
Gasparin._
“Mirobolant” is a corruption of admirable. Another instance of this
kind of slang formation is “abalobé,” from abalourdi.
MIROIR, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _a rapid glance cast on the stock of a
game of piquet, or on the first cards dealt at the game of baccarat_.
A tricky “dodge” which enables the cheat to gain a knowledge of his
opponent’s hand. (Popular) Un ---- à putains, synonymous of bellâtre,
_a handsome but vulgar man_, one likely to find favour with the frail
sisterhood. Rigaud says: “Miroir à putains, joli visage d’homme à la
manière des têtes exposées à la vitrine des coiffeurs.” The phrase is
old.
Dis-lui qu’un miroir à putain
Pour dompter le Pays Latin
Est un fort mauvais personnage.
=SCARRON.=
Fielding thus expatiates on the readiness of women to look with more
favour on a handsome face than on an intellectual one:--
How we must lament that disposition in these lovely
creatures which leads them to prefer in their favour those
individuals of the other sex who do not seem intended by
nature as so great a masterpiece!... If this be true, how
melancholy must be the consideration that any single beau,
especially if he have but half a yard of ribbon in his hat,
shall weigh heavier in the scale of female affection than
twenty Sir Isaac Newtons!--_Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great._
MIRQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _woman’s cap_.
MIRZALES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _earrings_.
MISE, _f._ (prostitutes’), faire sa ----, _to pay a prostitute her
fee_, or “present.” (Popular) Mise à pied, _temporary or permanent
dismissal from one’s employment, the_ “sack.”
MISE-BAS, _f._ (popular) _strike of work_; (servants’) _cast-off
clothes which servants consider as their perquisites_.
MISER (gamesters’), _to stake_.
Et si je gagne ce soir cinq à six mille francs au
lansquenet, qu’est-ce que soixante-dix mille francs de
perte pour avoir de quoi miser?--=BALZAC.=
MISÉRABLE, _m._ (popular), _one halfpenny glass of spirits_, “un
monsieur” being one that will cost four sous, and “un poisson” five
sous.
MISLOQUE, or MISLOCQ, _f._ (thieves’), _theatre_; _play_. Flancher, or
jouer la ----, _to act_.
Ah! ce que je veux faire, je veux jouer la
mislocq.--=VIDOCQ.=
MISLOQUIER, _m._, MISLOQUIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _actor_, “cackling
cove,” or “mug faker,” and _actress_.
MISSISSIPI, _m._ (popular), au ----, _very far away_.
MISTENFLÛTE, _f._ (popular), _thingumbob_.
MISTICHE (thieves’), un ----, _half a “setier,” or small measure of
wine_. Une ----, _half an hour_.
MISTICK, _m._ (thieves’), _foreign thief_.
MISTIGRIS, or MISTI, _m._ (popular), _knave of clubs_; _apprentice to a
house decorator_.
MISTON (thieves’). See ALLUMER. (Popular) Mon ----, _my boy_, “my
bloater.”
MISTOUF, or MISTOUFFLE, _f._ (popular), _practical joke_; _scurvy
trick_. Faire une ---- à quelqu’un, _to pain, to annoy one_.
Vous lui aurez fait quelque mistouf, vous l’aurez menacée
de quelque punition, et alors.--=A. CIM=, _Institution de
Demoiselles_.
Coup de ----, _scurvy trick brewing_. Faire des mistouffles, _to
teaze_, “to spur,” _to annoy one_. (Thieves’) Mistouffle à la
saignante, _trap laid for the purpose of murdering one_.
Voilà trop longtemps ... que le vieux me la fait au
porte-monnaie. Il me faut son sac. Mais ... pas de
mistouffle à la saignante, je n’aime pas ça. Du barbotage
tant qu’on voudra.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._
MISTRON, _m._ (popular), _a game of cards called_ “trente et un.”
MISTRONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _amateur of_ “mistron” (which see).
MITAINE, _f._ (thieves’), grinchisseuse à la ----, _female thief who
causes some property, lace generally, to fall from a shop counter, and
by certain motions of her foot conveys it to her shoe, where it remains
secreted_.
MITARD, _m._ (police), _unruly prisoner confined in a punishment cell_.
MITE-AU-LOGIS, _f._ (popular), _disease of the eyes_. A play on the
words mite and mythologie.
MITEUX, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _is said of one poorly clad, of
a wretched-looking person_.
Quand nous arrivâmes à la posada, on ne voulut pas nous
recevoir, l’aubergiste nous trouvant, comme disait La
Martinière mon compagnon de route, trop “miteux.”
--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _A travers l’Espagne_.
MITRAILLE, _f._ (general), _pence_, _coppers_. The expression is old.
This term seems to be derived from the word “mite,” copper coin worth
four “oboles,” used in Flanders.
MITRAILLEUSE, _f._ (popular), étouffer une ----, _to drink a glass of
wine_. Synonymous of “boire un canon.”
MITRE, _f._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir. See MOTTE. Meant formerly
_itch_, the word being derived from the name of a certain ointment
termed “mithridate.”
MOBILIER, _m._ (thieves’), _teeth_, or “ivories.” Literally _furniture_.
MOBLOT, _m._ (familiar), _used for Mobile in 1870_. “La garde mobile”
at the beginning of the war formed the reserve corps.
MOCASSIN, _m._ (popular), _shoe_. See RIPATON.
MOC-AUX-BEAUX (thieves’), _quarter of La Place Maubert_.
MOCHE, or MOUCHE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), _bad_.
MODE, _f._ (swindlers’), concierge à la ----, _a doorkeeper who is an
accomplice of a gang of swindlers termed_ BANDE NOIRE (which see).
La “bande noire” était--et est encore, car le dixième à
peine des membres sont arrêtés--une formidable association,
ayant pour spécialité d’exploiter le commerce des vins de
Paris, de la Bourgogne et du Bordelais.... Pour chaque
affaire, le courtier recevait dix francs. Le concierge,
désigné sous le nom bizarre de concierge à la mode,
n’était pas moins bien rétribué. Il touchait dix francs
également.--_Le Voltaire_, 6 Août, 1886.
MODÈLE, _m._ (familiar), _grandfather or grandmother_.
MODERNE, _m._ (familiar), _young man of the “period,”_ in opposition to
antique, _old-fashioned_.
MODILLON, _f._ (modistes’), _a second year apprentice at a modiste’s_.
MODISTE, _m._ (literary), formerly _a journalist who sought more
to pander to the tastes of the day than to acquire any literary
reputation_.
MOELLEUX, _m._ (popular), _cotton_, which is soft.
MOELONNEUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who frequents builders’
yards_. See GADOUE.
MOIGNONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _thick clumsy ankles_. The _Slang
Dictionary_ says a girl with thick ankles is called a “Mullingar
heifer” by the Irish. A story goes that a traveller passing through
Mullingar was so struck with this local peculiarity in the women, that
he determined to accost the next one he met. “May I ask,” said he,
“if you wear hay in your shoes?” “Faith, an’ I do,” said the girl,
“and what then?” “Because,” said the traveller, “that accounts for the
calves of your legs coming down to feed on it.”
MOINE, _m._ (familiar), _earthen jar filled with hot water, which does
duty for a warming pan_; (printers’) _spot on a forme which has not
been touched by the roller, and which in consequence forms a blank on
the printed leaf_. Termed “friar” by English printers. (Popular) Mettre
le ----, _to fasten a string to a sleeping man’s big toe_. By jerking
the string now and then the sleeper’s slumbers are disturbed and great
amusement afforded to the authors of the contrivance. This sort of
practical joking seems to be in favour in barrack-rooms. Donner, or
bailler le ----, was synonymous of mettre le ----, and, used as a
proverbial expression, meant _to bear ill luck_.
MOINE-LAI, _m._ (popular), _old military pensioner who has become an
imbecile_.
MOINETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _nun_, moine being a _monk_.
MOÏSE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man deceived by his wife_. The
term is old, for, says Le Roux, “Moïse, mot satirique, qui signifie
cocu, homme à qui on a planté des cornes.”
MOITIÉ, _f._ (popular), tu n’es pas la ---- d’une bête, _you are no
fool_.
Oui, t’es pas la moitié d’une bête. Là-dessus aboule tes
quatre ronds.--=G. COURTELINE.=
MOLANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _wool_. From mol, _soft_.
MOLARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _expectoration_, or “gob.”
MOLARDER (familiar and popular), _to expectorate_.
MOLIÈRE, _m._ (theatrical), _scenery which may be used for the
performance of any play of Molière_.
MOLLE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), être ----, _to be penniless_,
alluding to an empty pocket, which is flabby; “to be hard up.”
MOLLET, _m._ (popular). M. Charles Nisard, in his _Parisianismes
Populaires_, says of the word, “Gras de la partie postérieure de la
jambe” (the proper meaning), and he adds, “Partie molle de diverses
autres choses.”
Vous ne cachez pas tous vos mollets dans vos bas: c’est
comme la barque d’Anières, ça n’sart plus qu’à passer
l’iau.--_Le Déjeuner de la Rapée._
Following the adage, “Le latin dans les mots brave l’honnêteté,”
M. Nisard gives the following explanation of the above:--“Hæc sunt
verba cujusdam petulantis mulierculæ ad quemdam jam senescentem
virum, convalescentem e morbo, et carnale opus adhuc penes se esse
male jactantem. In eo enim Thrasone mulieroso pars ista corporis
quam proprie vocant ‘Mollet,’ non solum in tibialibus ejus inclusa
erat, sed et in bracis, ubi, mutata ex toto forma, nil valebat nisi,
scaphæ Asnieriæ instar, ‘à passer l’eau,’ id est, ad meiendum. Sed,
animadvertas, oro, sensum locutionis ‘passer l’eau’ æquivocum; hic enim
unda transitur, illic eadem transit.”
MOLLUSQUE, _m._ (familiar), _narrow-minded man_; _routine-loving man_;
huître being a common term for a _fool_.
MOMAQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _child_, or “kid.”
MOMARD, or MOMIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid.”
MÔME, _m. and f._ (popular and thieves’), _child_, or “kid.”
Ces mômes corrompus, ces avortons flétris,
Cette écume d’égoût c’est la levure immonde,
De ce grand pain vivant qui s’appelle Paris,
Et qui sert de brioche au monde.
=RICHEPIN.=
Môme noir, _student at a priest’s seminary_. Thus termed on account
of their clerical attire. Called also by thieves, “Canneur du mec des
mecs,” _afraid of God_. Une ----, _young woman_, “titter.”
Va, la môme, et n’fais pas four.
=RICHEPIN.=
Une ----, or mômeresse, _mistress_, “blowen.” C’est ma ----, elle est
ronflante ce soir, _It is my girl, she has money to-night_. Un ----
d’altèque, _handsome young man_. Taper un ----, _to commit a theft_;
_to commit infanticide_.
Car elle est en prison pour un môme qu’elle a tapé.--_From
a thief’s letter, quoted by L. Larchey._
Madame Tire-mômes, _midwife_. Termed in the seventeenth century,
“madame du guichet, or portière du petit guichet.” (Convicts’) Môme
bastaud, _convict who is a Sodomist, a kind of male prostitute_.
MÔMEUSE, _f._ See MÔMIÈRE.
MOMICHARDE, _f._ (popular), _little girl_.
Envoie les petites ... qu’elles aboulent, les
momichardes!--=LOUISE MICHEL.=
MÔMIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _midwife_. Termed also “Madame Tire-mômes,
Madame Tire-monde, or tâte-minette.”
MOMIGNARD, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _child_, or “kid;” _baby_; ----
d’altèque, _a fine child_.
Frangine d’altèque, je mets l’arguemine à la barbue, pour
te bonnir que ma largue aboule de mômir un momignard
d’altèque.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My good sister, I take the pen to
say that my wife has just given birth to a fine child._)
MOMIGNARDAGE À L’ANGLAISE, _m._ (popular), _miscarriage_.
MOMIGNARDE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _little girl_; _young girl_,
“titter.”
Mes momignardes ... allons, c’est dit, on rebâtira le
sinve. Il faut espérer que la daronne du grand Aure nous
protégera.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My little girls ... come, it’s
settled, the fool shall be killed. Let us hope the Holy
Virgin will protect us._)
MÔMIR (popular and thieves’), _to be delivered of a child_, “to be in
the straw.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says: “Married ladies are said to be
in the straw at their accouchement.” The phrase is a coarse metaphor,
and has reference to farmyard animals in a similar condition. It may
have originally been suggested to the inquiring mind by the Nativity.
Mômir pour l’aff, _to have a miscarriage_. Termed also “casser son œuf,
décarrer de crac.”
MONACOS, _m. pl._ (familiar and popular), _money_. See QUIBUS.
Je vais te prouver à toi et à ta grue, ... que je suis
encore bonne pour gagner des monacos. Et allez-y!
--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Marie Queue-de-Vache_.
Avoir des ----, _to be wealthy_. Termed also “être foncé, être
sacquard, or douillard; avoir le sac, de l’os, des sous, du foin dans
ses bottes, de quoi, des pépettes, or de la thune; être californien.”
The English synonyms being “to be worth a plum, to be well ballasted,
to be a rag-splawger, to have lots of tin, to have feathered one’s
nest, to be warm, to be comfortable.” Abouler les ----, _to pay_, “to
fork out, to shell out, to down with the dust, to post the pony, to
stump the pewter, to tip the brads.”
MONANT, _m._, MONANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _friend_.
MONARQUE, _m._ (popular), _five-franc piece_. Termed also “roue de
derrière,” the nearly corresponding coin, a crown piece, being called
in English slang a “hind coach wheel.” (Prostitutes’) Monarque,
_money_. Faire son ----, _to have found clients_.
MONDE, _m._ (popular), renversé, _guillotine_. See VOYANTE. Il y a du
---- au balcon _is said of a woman with large breasts_, _of one with
opulent_ “Charlies.” (Familiar) Demi ----, _world of cocottes_, _kept
women_.
Dans ce qu’on appelle le demi-monde il y a nombre de filles
en carte, véritables chevaliers d’industrie de la jeunesse
et de l’amour qui, bien en règle avec la préfecture, mènent
joyeuse vie pendant quinze ans et éludent constamment la
police correctionnelle.--=LÉO TAXIL.=
(Showmen’s) Du ----, _public who enter the show_. There may be a large
concourse of people outside, but no “monde.”
MONFIER (thieves’), _to kiss_.
MON GNIASSE (popular and thieves’), _me_, “my nibs.”
MON LINGE EST LAVÉ (popular), _I give in_, “I throw up the sponge.”