MIDGE NET, a lady’s veil.
MIKE, to loiter; or, as a costermonger defined it, to “lazy about.” The
term probably originated at St. Giles’, which used to be thronged with
Irish labourers (Mike being so common a term with them as to become a
generic appellation for Irishmen with the vulgar) who used to loiter
about the Pound, and lean against the public-houses in the “Dials”
waiting for hire.
MILKY ONES, white linen rags.
MILL, a fight, or SET TO. _Ancient cant_, MYLL, to rob.
MILL, to fight or beat.
MILL, the tread_mill_, prison.
MILL-TOG, a shirt—most likely the prison garment.
MISH, a shirt, or chemise. From COMMISSION, the _Ancient cant_ for
a shirt, afterwards shortened to K’MISH or SMISH, and then to MISH.
_French_, CHEMISE; _Italian_, CAMICIA.
“With his snowy CAMESE and his shaggy capote.”—_Byron._