Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 4.pdf/398

 all 'done up' for street-sale by the class known as mush or more properly mushroom fakers. Idem., ii. 127. The umbrella-menders are known by an appellation of an appropriateness not uncommon in street language. They are mushroom-fakers. The form of the expanded umbrella resembles that of a mushroom, and it has the further characteristic of being rapidly or suddenly raised, the mushroom itself springing up and attaining its full size in a very brief space of time. The term, however, like all street or popular terms or phrases, has become very generally condensed among those who carry on the trade—they are now mush-fakers, a word which, to any one who has not heard the term in full, is as meaningless as any in the vocabulary of slang.

1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, 91. My old man got his dudder by chinay-faking and mush-faking.

Mushroom, subs. (common).—1. A hat.

2. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see Monosyllable.

3. (old).—See quots.

1622. Bacon, Nat. Hist. [Enc. Dict.]. Mushrooms come up in a night, and yet they are unsown; and therefore such as are upstarts in state, they call in reproach mushrooms.

1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Mushroom. A person or family suddenly raised to riches and eminence: an allusion to that fungus which starts up in a night.

1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.

Music, subs. (American).—1. Fun; frolic.

2. (American).—See quot.

1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Music. The verdict of a Jury when they find not guilty.

3. (old).—See quot.

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Music. The watchword among highwaymen, signifying the person is a friend, and must pass unmolested.

1811. Lex. Bal., s.v.

4. (old).—See quot.

1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Music is also an Irish term, in tossing up, to express the harp side, or reverse, of a farthing or halfpenny opposed to the head.

To face the music. See face.

Music-box, subs. (common).—A piano.

1863. C. Reade, Hard Cash, i. 178. But just you hear her sing, that is all Just smiles and sits down to the music-box.

Musicianer, subs. (American).—A musician.

1848. Burton, Waggeries etc., p. 186. The landlord cursed the musicianer who paid his rent in such uncurrent notes.

Muslin (or a bit of muslin), subs. (common).—A woman. For synonyms see Petticoat.

1823. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, i. 1. A bit of muslin on the sly.

1828. G. Griffin, Collegians, x. Captain, I see you laugh a great deal, but you mustn't laugh at our girls, though, there are sume pretty bits o' muslin there, I can tell you.

1843. W.T. Moncrieff, The Scamps of London, i. 1. I came up to town to see life, leaving behind me as pretty a piece of muslin as you'd wish to see.

1849. Thackeray, Pendennis, l. 'That was a pretty bit of muslin hanging on your arm—who was she?'

1884. Hawley Smart, Post to Finish, 128. One thing more: take my advice, and keep clear of muslin for the next six or seven years. It's brought as many of your profession to grief as spirits.

Musn't-mention-ems, subs. (common).—Trousers. For synonyms see Bags and Kicks.

Muss, subs. (American).—1. Confusion; a fuss. See quot. 1859.