LURK, a sham, swindle, or representation of feigned distress.
LURKER, an impostor who travels the country with false certificates of
fires, shipwrecks, &c.
LUSH, intoxicating drinks of all kinds, but generally used for beer.
The _Globe_, 8th September, 1859, says “LUSH and its derivatives claim
_Lushington_, the brewer, as sponsor.”
LUSH, to drink, or get drunk.
LUSH-CRIB, a public house.
LUSHINGTON, a drunkard, or one who continually soaks himself with
drams, and pints of beer. Some years since there was a “Lushington
Club” in Bow-street, Covent Garden.
LUSHY, intoxicated. Johnson says “opposite to pale,” so red with drink.
MAB, a cab, or hackney coach.
MACE, a dressy swindler who victimizes tradesmen.
MACE, to spunge, swindle, or beg, in a polite way; “give it him (a
shopkeeper) on the MACE,” _i.e._, obtain goods on credit and never pay
for them; also termed “striking the MACE.”
MADZA, half. _Italian_, MEZZA. This word enters into combination with
various cant phrases, mainly taken from the _Lingua Franca_, as MADZA
CAROON, half-a-crown, two-and-sixpence; MADZA SALTEE, a halfpenny
[_see_ SALTEE]; MADZA POONA, half-a-sovereign; MADZA ROUND THE BULL,
half-a-pound of steak, &c.
MAG, a halfpenny.—_Ancient cant_, MAKE. MEGGS were formerly
guineas.—_B. M. Carew._
MAG, to talk. A corruption of NAG.—_Old_; hence MAGPIE.
MAGGOTTY, fanciful, fidgetty. Whims and fancies were formerly termed
MAGGOTS, from the popular belief that a maggot in the brain was the
cause of any odd notion or caprice a person might exhibit.
MAGSMAN, a street swindler, who watches for countrymen and “gullable”
persons.
MAHOGANY, “to have one’s feet under another man’s MAHOGANY,” to sit at
his table, be supported on other than one’s own resources; “amputate
your MAHOGANY,” _i.e._, go away, or “cut your stick.”
MAIN-TOBY, the highway, or the main road.
MAKE, a successful theft, or swindle.
MAKE, to steal.