British English A to Z - past 7

216 ma’am, n. see comment This highly specialized form of contraction of madam is used as the proper form of addressing the Queen and other senior Royals, and when it is so used it is pro- nounced m’m by servants and mahm by all others. Also used in addressing other ladies in the royal family, and as the equivalent of sir in the women’s military services. mac, n. raincoat Slang. Short for mackintosh (sometimes macintosh), a waterproof material patented in the early 19th century by Charles Macintosh, an amateur chemist. Macin- tosh was awarded the patent for waterproofing cloth by cementing two pieces together with rubber dissolved in a chemical solvent, thus making it suitable for a number of uses, including raincoats. macadam, n. blacktop After J.C. McAdam, who late in the 18th century invented the building of roads with layers of crushed stone. Tarmac, short for tar macadam, added tar to the crushed stone layers. But since tar is almost universally added to the crushed stones these days, macadam road is used in Britain the way Americans use blacktop road. See also metalled road. machinist, n. machine operator This term, used by itself in Britain, can mean any kind of machine operator, espe- cially a sewing machine operator. The British also use the term machine-minder where Americans would say machine operator. mad on Inf. crazy about Inf. Americans also say mad about and the British also say crazy about, but only the British say mad on to mean infatuated. When a Briton wants to be emphatic, he says mad keen on, or sometimes dead keen on, or even struck on. maffick, v.i. exult riotously Mafeking is a small town in Cape Province, South Africa. During the Boer War it was besieged from October 13, 1899, to May 17, 1900, when the siege was raised. The relief of Mafeking was cause for great rejoicing and the populace of London and elsewhere celebrated the happy event with extravagance and exultation. The -ing ending was mistakenly believed by the general public to indicate a gerund, and maffick came to mean, to the many who had never heard of the place, ‘cel- ebrate hilariously’ usually with the assistance of alcoholic stimulants. magistrate, n. approx. justice of the peace magistrate’s court see comment A court that is held before two or more justices of the peace or a Stipendiary Magistrate, and which deals with minor crimes and preliminary hearings. m h maiden over see comment In cricket there are two bowlers. Each bowler bowls to the opposing batsman six times. This constitutes an over. If the batsman fails to make a single run during the over, the result is called a maiden over, and the bowler is said to have bowled a maiden over. Metaphorically maiden over can be used as an elegant and dramatic way of describing any achievement of consistent skill, one in which the protago- nist triumphs over the assaults of his opponent. maiden speech see comment The first speech made in Parliament by a newly elected M.P. On this occasion, it is customary for the other M.P.s not to interrupt, and to praise the speech after- wards. After the maiden speech the M.P. is fair game for the robust comments that characterize parliamentary debate. maid of honour 1. lady in waiting 2. cheesecake 1. An unmarried woman who attends a queen or princess. 2. The edible variety; a small round one. mainland, n. see comment This refers to the main island of Britain. Anyone living on a smaller island (e.g. Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight or the Isle of Skye), will talk of going to the mainland. mains, n. pl. see comment The outside source of gas, electricity, or water. Thus, directions on an electric appliance: Disconnect mains before adjusting controls. And if you want to replace a faulty tap, you switch the water off at the mains. maisonette, n. see comment This term is sometimes applied to any small house or apartment, but generally refers to a part of a house (usually on more than one floor) rented separately from the rest of the dwelling. It is gaining some currency in the United States to describe a luxury duplex with a separate entrance on the ground floor, embedded in a high-rise apartment building. maize, n. corn See discussion under corn. major, adj. (the) elder Used after a surname. In a British public school the eldest or most senior of three or more students then attending who have the same surname has maximus (the superlative form of the Latin adjective magnus, meaning ‘large’ or ‘great’) placed after his name; thus Smith maximus, i.e., Smith the eldest, to distinguish him from the other Smiths then at the school. The youngest would be Smith minimus (mini- mus being the superlative form of parvus, Latin for ‘small’). The corresponding Latin comparatives, major and minor, are used when there are only two with the same surname. At some public schools, major has been used to mean ‘first to enter,’ even if an older Smith enters the school later, while the first Smith is still attending; and at other schools maximus and minimus have been used to refer not to age but to academic standing. majority, n. plurality A voting term. When the British use the term majority in discussing an election they mean what the Americans call a plurality. If they want to indicate an arith- metical majority (i.e., more than 50 percent), they use the term clear majority. majority 217 major road. See arterial road. make, v.t. bring Bring a price in an auction sale. Fetch is used in the same way. make a balls of Inf. mess up Vulgar Slang. See also balls, 2. make a dead set at, Inf. Inf. make a play for make a (the) four up make a fourth For instance, at bridge or tennis doubles. make all the running Slang. go the limit Slang. Refers to the degree of sexual intimacy permitted by the lady. Not to be confused with make the running. make a meal of. See make heavy weather of make game of, Inf. make fun of make hay of Inf. overthrow Inf. Make short work of. Also throw into confusion. make heavy weather of see comment Inf. Applies to a situation where one finds something harder than anticipated. The implication is that one finds a situation very trying, and is making it unnecessar- ily difficult, and that one is making a big fuss over little or nothing; making a big deal out of what should have been easy going; not getting on with a relatively simple task, through bumbling stupidity. Also, make a meal of. See hospital job. make off with Inf. run through (money); squander Inf. As in I made off with my salary in one day. In both countries the phrase is also used to mean ‘steal.’ make old bones Inf. live to a ripe old age Inf. Gloomily enough, seen almost exclusively in the negative: He’ll never make old bones. make oneself scarce scram; skedaddle When someone realizes that he’s in—or about to be in—trouble, he makes himself scarce. make one’s number with contact Inf. The person you make contact with is often your opposite number (e.g., in another department of the government, or perhaps someone a bit senior). The implication is that of ‘getting across’ to someone whom it is important to be in touch with; to ‘register,’ as it were, to ‘make your existence known.’ When a naval ship spotted another sail on the horizon, the Captain made his number to the other ship by means of signal flags. As soon as the answering number was received, each Captain con- sulted his Admiralty schedule to find out which ship was senior, and therefore could take command with the right to give orders to the other. 218 major road make out a case for make a case for make the running take the lead Inf. In a competitive situation. For another kind of headway, see make all the running. make up fill British chemists (druggists) make up prescriptions rather than fill them. -making see comment Hyphenated with such words as shy-, shame-, sick-, to create a series of mildly precious, jocularly expressive adjectives. See also the adjective off-putting, under put (someone) off. This construction is said to have been the invention of Evelyn Waugh. malicious wounding crimes of violence Term from criminal law. Malteser, n. a popular chocolate candy In informal usage, especially in London, also a slang term for the people of Malta. The candy itself resembles a Milk Dud. man, n. valet As obsolescent as the institution itself. If a woman today speaks of my man she presumably means ‘the man I am living with.’ Of course, there is also the patron- izing my good man. manager, n. producer In speaking of the theater, manager is the equivalent of producer in America. See also producer. managing director approx. executive vice president In a British company, the offices of chairman and managing director can be combined in one person. This is not common and the division of functions and authority, as between these two offices, will vary from company to company, as it does between chairman of the board and president in American corporations. Roughly speaking, the chairman makes policy, while the managing director runs the show day by day. See also chairman. Manchester, n. dry goods Short for Manchester goods, denoting cotton textile wares such as draperies, cur- tain materials, bedspreads, and the like. Signs reading simply manchester used to appear in some department stores. See also draper’s shop. Mancunian, n., adj. see comment Meaning a native or resident of Manchester. Also of Manchester. The Romans called the place Mancunium. mange tout, n. snow pea manhandle, v.t. handle The British use this the way it is used in America to mean ‘handle roughly,’ ‘deal roughly with,’ but it has also the more literal meaning in Britain shown above. manhandle 219 manifesto. See party manifesto. manky, adj. rotten Slang. A strong term for quite inferior; also spelled mankey and mankie. man of Kent. See under Kentish man. man of the match approx. most valuable player The title is conferred upon the player chosen by an outside authority, usually a veteran player himself, as the best achiever in a particular match. This is the common procedure in cricket matches of special significance. Imitated in modern World Series. See match. manor, n. Inf. beat, turf Inf. In the sense of ‘domain, bailiwick.’ As a police usage, it is synonymous with patch used in this sense. It is also used by criminals to describe the ‘official’ terri- tory of one gang or another. mantelshelf, n. mantelpiece The terms are used interchangeably in Britain, though mantelpiece is now more common. marching papers Inf. walking papers Inf. Also marching orders. marg(e), n. margarine Inf. Each country has its own way of abbreviating oleomargarine. mark, n. type (sort) The phrase of much this mark means ‘very much like this.’ Thus a Briton might be heard to say, At school we slept in beds of much this mark. This use of mark to mean ‘type’ has been extended to include ‘model,’ as used in the expressions Mark I, Mark II, etc., especially in descriptions of new models of cars as brought out year after year. mark, v.t. Inf. cover Inf. A term used in football. In the British game, a player is said to stay close to, to mark, an opposing player who may be receiving the ball; in the American game that would be called covering the receiver. The player who marks is the marker. market, n. weekly market Many British towns have a weekly market day, a particular day of the week on which a market, usually open-air, is held for the sale of all kinds of wares, arranged in stalls. As might be expected, these markets, which constitute normal commerce among the natives, seem like fairs to the visitor for they crackle with the festive air of a bazaar. Such a town is called a market town. market garden truck farm A market gardener is a truck farmer, and market garden and truck farm are used in both countries. marking name street name The broker’s name, in which securities are registered for trading convenience. The true owner’s name is posted in the broker’s books and records. 220 manifesto Marks & Sparks see comment Inf. A joke name for Marks & Spencer, a chain store (multiple shop) selling cloth- ing, housewares, and food and drink. See also Woollies. Mark Tapley Pollyanna One who sees only the bright side. See Martin Chuzzlewit by Dickens. Marlburian, n., adj. see comment Of Marlborough. Marlborough is the site of a famous public school in Wiltshire. An old Marlburian is a graduate of that school. Marlborough is pronounced mawl-bruh. Marmite, TM. see comment A yeast and vegetable extract used as a spread on buttered toast. marquee, n. large tent In America marquee generally denotes a rigid canopy projecting over the entrance to a theater or other public hall, and the word evokes the image of large illumi- nated letters spelling out the names of stage and movie stars, double features, and smash hits. This significance is never attributed to the word in Britain, where it means a ‘large tent’ of the sort used on fair grounds and brings to mind Brit- ain’s agricultural fairs (see agricultural show), village fêtes, large private parties, and the Henley Regatta. marriage lines marriage certificate The American term is now common in Britain. marrow, n. approx. squash A kind of oversized zucchini. When the British say squash, unless they are using it as a sports term, they mean a ‘soft drink,’ usually lemon squash or orange squash (see squash). martini, n. vermouth If you ask for a martini in a British pub, you will probably get a glass of ver- mouth. Whether it is dry or sweet will depend upon chance, but in either event it will be warm. If you ask for a dry martini, you will get a glass of dry vermouth. If you want a dry martini in the American sense, better ask for a gin and French, specify extremely little French, and that it be served very cold, by stirring the mixture over ice cubes (formerly, blocks of ice), but further specify that the ice be removed (unless you want it on the rocks); and furthermore, if it would grieve you terribly not to find an olive or a piece of lemon rind in it, you had better remain in America. A gin and it—it being an abbreviation of Italian vermouth—is still occasionally ordered, but not by Americans. mash, n. mashed potatoes Inf. Occasionally, creamed potatoes in Britain. A pub used to present sausages and mash in the public bar at three shillings and sausages and creamed potatoes in the saloon bar at four shillings, sixpence. Same dish. masses of, Inf. Inf. tons of master or mistress, n. teacher Below university level. For the meaning of Master at the university level, see Fel- low. A form-master has about the same functions as a home-room teacher. In all these uses, teacher is gaining in popularity. master or mistress 221 match, n. game Two sides (teams) play a match, rather than a game, in Britain. match, test. See Test Match. matchcard, n. scorecard mate, n. Inf. buddy Inf. Matey or maty is a slang adjective for chummy. A penmate is a pen pal. mater, n. mother Slang. Old-fashioned upper-class slang. Pronounced to rhyme with later. maths, n. math matinee coat baby coat Also found as matinee jacket. matron. See under sister. maximus. See under major. may, n. hawthorn Mayfair, n. see comment Used attributively, rather in the same way as Park Avenue in America, to describe mannerisms, as in, Her accent’s terribly Mayfair. Mayfair, lying directly east of Hyde Park, is one of London’s most expensive areas and synonymous with great wealth. May Week see comment May Week is a Cambridge University function that lasts several days longer than a week and is celebrated in June. It is a festive period after finals are over, the principal festivities being a series of balls and bumping-races. Bumping-races are boat races among eights representing the various colleges (see college) in which a boat that catches up with and touches another (called bumping) scores a win. A bump-supper is held to celebrate four wins. maze, v.t. bewilder MB, abbrev. Bachelor of Medicine In Britain, the degree needed to practice medicine is a bachelor’s degree, and may be taken either as one’s only university (college) degree or after taking a bachelor’s degree in another subject. An MD is a post-graduate degree taken only by a small percentage of physicians. M.B.E. See under Birthday Honours. M.C. See V.C. M.D. retarded Inf. Stands for mentally deficient. 222 match mean, adj. stingy; petty In America mean is most commonly understood as ‘cruel’ and ‘ill-tempered.’ In Britain it means ‘stingy’ or ‘petty,’ ‘ignoble.’ Mean has an additional slang use in America, especially in jazz circles and among the youth: He blows a mean horn. Here, mean has the implication of punishing: something that makes a deep impression, that you won’t soon forget—something that almost hurts. Curiously, the British, to express the same reaction, would say, He blows no mean horn, intro- ducing a negative, and here mean probably signifies ‘average’ or ‘mediocre,’ its original meaning. means test see comment A test establishing the financial means of disabled or unemployed people in order to determine their eligibility for welfare or housing benefits. Means-test is used as a transitive verb meaning to ‘apply a means test’ to someone, and means- tested as an adjective describing a benefit thus determined. meant to supposed to A Briton asks, for instance, Are we meant to throw rubbish in that bin? Or he might say, The Russians are meant to be good chess players, i.e., reputed to be. mear. See mere. meat and drink Inf. just what the doctor ordered Inf. Or made to order, i.e., just the opportunity one was waiting for, particularly in a competitive situation like sports, a court trial, an election, etc.; a source of great pleasure to the protagonist, when the adversary plays into his hands, and he can pounce. meat-safe food cupboard Built of wire mesh and fast becoming obsolete, giving way to the refrigerator. Although it is called a meat-safe, it can be used to preserve any food. mediatize, v.t. annex This historical term means to ‘annex a smaller country, usually a principality, to a larger one.’ The former ruler retains his title and may be permitted to keep some governing rights. Hence, the expression mediatized prince. medic, n. Inf. a doctor or a nurse Medium wave (radio) AM radio megger, n. see comment Device for the measurement of insulation resistance; from megohm, meaning ‘1,000,000 ohms.’ Melton Mowbray pie. See pork pie. Member, n. see comment The British opposite number of a congressman is a Member of Parliament, colloqui- ally abbreviated to M.P. and commonly shortened to Member. The area repre- sented by M.P. is known as a constituency. memorandum and articles of association corporate charter memorandum and articles of association 223 mend, v.t. repair You may hear Britons talking about having their shoes, flat tires (punctures), and chairs mended, but their cars, plumbing, and television sets repaired. The distinc- tion appears to be on the way out. Nowadays the upper classes tend to have most things repaired rather than mended, though really old-fashioned types still tend to have many things mended. Thus in the villages, you often hear references to the shoe mender, the watch mender, and so on. One word the British rarely use as the equivalent of mend or repair is fix, an Americanism. mental, adj. crazy Inf. An American will speak of a disturbed person as a mental case. The British content themselves, informally, with the adjective alone. mentioned in dispatches cited for bravery A military term. To be mentioned in dispatches is to be honored by being mentioned by name in a military report for bravery or other commendable acts of service. MEP, acronym. Member of the European Parliament mercer, n. textile dealer Usually designates an exclusive shop, dealing in expensive high-style fabrics, with the emphasis on silk. merchant, n. wholesaler The usual implication is that he deals principally in international trade. merchant bank approx. investment bank Specializing in the acceptance of bills of exchange in international commerce and investment in new issues. mere; mear, n. lake Or pond; almost never used in America. A poetic term. metalled road paved road The British speak of unmetalled, unpaved, unmade, and dust roads, all synonymous. Road-metal is a British term for the crushed stone that forms constitutes the layers of macadam roads (see macadam). metals, n. pl. rails When a train leaves the metals in Britain it has been derailed. meteorological office weather bureau And the much reviled official whom the Americans call the weatherman is the clerk of the weather in Britain. meths. See methylated spirit. methylated spirit denatured alcohol Usually shortened to meths, which is also used to refer to the unhappy derelicts who drink it. (the) Met(s) (the) London Police Inf. Short for the Metropolitan Police, the London police force. 224 mend met office, abbrev. meteorological office This informal name is almost always used, even in newspaper reports and the like. See meteorological office. metricate. See metrification. metrification, metrication, n. adoption of metric system Giving rise to the verbs metrify and metricate. This change, required by Britain’s entry into the European Community, caused something of an upheaval in British society. Though fiercely resisted for decades, its progress has been steady and its eventual triumph over traditional British weights and measures (see Appendix 2C) is inevitable. metrify. See metrification. metropolitan district see comment A phrase used to express the concept of incorporation of surrounding areas into a city unit, creating a governmental subdivision larger than the old city. Americans express the same concept by the use of Greater as in Greater New York, Greater Chi- cago, etc., as do the British. Michaelmas see comment (Pronounced mickle-m’s.) September 29, the feast of St. Michael. midden, n. garbage heap Or dunghill. Kitchen midden is used in both countries to describe a heap of seafood shells or other refuse marking the site of a prehistoric settlement. Middle England, n. see comment A standard term for the people who supposedly represent traditional views and values, or for the views and values themselves. Middle England would not approve. middle name approx. Inf. nick Inf. In America John Henry Smith has a first name, a middle name, and a last name. Sometimes in Britain he would commonly be said to have two Christian or given names or forenames and a surname. John Henry Samuel Smith would be said to have two middle names in America, three Christian or given names in Britain. The term middle name itself may also be used either jocularly or bitterly in both countries but usually in somewhat different ways. In America (rarely in Britain) a wife speaking of her husband’s favorite dish (or sport) might say about him, Apple pie (or hockey) is his middle name! In Britain a person complaining of another’s hypocritical conduct might say, His middle name is Heep! (after the knavish Uriah in David Copperfield). The corresponding expression in America would be: He’s a regular Uriah Heep! mike, v.i. Slang. goof off Slang. To idle; also expressed by be on the mike. mild, n. see comment A low-alcohol ale. mileometer, n. odometer milk float milk truck Light low vehicle of stately gait, required to prevent churning. Electric-powered. milk float 225 [...]... great an interest in other people’s affairs This term is said to have alluded to Dr Matthew Parker, a 16th-century archbishop of Canterbury who was once chaplain to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII A religious fanatic, he stuck his nose into every aspect of church affairs (is) not a patch on Inf doesn’t hold a candle to Inf Doesn’t come anywhere near; isn’t in the same league with not a sausage Slang Usually... Britain) is the equivalent of Gangway! See Pleasure! Americans are told ad nauseam to have a good day not best pleased not too happy not by a long chalk, Inf Inf not by a long shot Britons waste their time playing various pool and billiard games, while Americans profit from shooting baskets and clay pigeons 242 note note, n 1 bill 2 tone 1 Referring to paper money: a 5-pound note, a 10-pound note, and... comment Slang Anything naff is shabby or cheap, or tatty Naff off! is the equivalent of Bugger off! (see bugger), or in America, Fuck off! nailed on, Slang Slang nailed down; all set nail varnish Also given as nail polish and nail enamel nail polish nancy boy, n Inf., derog an effeminate or homosexual male Also seen as nancy, and sometimes used as an adjective nanny, n full-time babysitter nanny state see... things, in about the same way the American government makes a mess of things, and in the same way in which all the other governments seem to be making whatever-it-is-they-call-it these days Whereas Americans mess around, Britons muck about To muck in is to pitch in, with 232 mucker the connotation that the task in question is a menial one To be in a muck sweat about something is to be upset about it,... N /A not applicable Abbreviation used in filling out forms; for instance, the blank space for maiden name, in a form being completed by a male NAAFI, n see comment (Pronounced naffy or nahfy.) Standing for Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, an organization that operates canteens and service centers for members of the British armed forces, similar to an American PX naff, v.i., adj see comment Slang... kept A muniment is a document listing items in archive mushy peas, n pl see comment Cooked, soft marrowfat (large) peas Found in working-class cafes and eel and pie shops music centre see comment Combination CD-player, cassette player, and radio See also radiogram music-hall, n vaudeville theater A music-hall turn is a vaudeville act Variety is a usual British term for vaudeville muslin, n See also... equivalent of the annual car inspections mandated under state law in the United States Mothering Sunday Mid-Lent Sunday Fourth Sunday in Lent, called Laetare Sunday because on that Sunday the introit in the Latin Mass began Laetare Jerusalem (‘Rejoice, Jerusalem’) The British name was derived from the custom of children bringing small gifts to their mothers on that day—the original Mother’s Day mother-in-law,... term came from the Romany word nak (pronounced NAHK) meaning ‘nose.’ narked, adj Slang In the sense of ‘angry.’ narky, adj Slang Slang sore Slang bitchy nasty, adj disagreeable In Britain, nasty means disgustingly dirty; obscene; unpalatable Nasty (usually in the plural) has been used to mean ‘gremlin’ or ‘bug’ in the sense of ‘defect’ in computer programs Nasties was a facetious name for Nazis in... the same old story, as when delegates to labor negotiations or peace conferences return after an interval and present each other with nothing new mizzle, n., v.i Apparently a portmanteau concoction of mist and drizzle mobile police mobile production drizzle patrol cars traveling show mobility unit see comment Public housing adapted to meet the needs of handicapped persons mock exam practice examination... butter-muslin; calico cheesecloth mustard-keen, adj enthusiastic Inf Also, keen as mustard This phrase involves a pun on Keen’s Mustard, a oncepopular product mutton, n The flesh of a sheep over two years old used as food see comment muzz, v.t., Slang See muzzy muzzy, adj Slang woozy Slang The implication in muzzy is that the unfortunate condition it describes is the result of too much drink The slang British . say machine operator. mad on Inf. crazy about Inf. Americans also say mad about and the British also say crazy about, but only the British say mad on to. they crackle with the festive air of a bazaar. Such a town is called a market town. market garden truck farm A market gardener is a truck farmer, and market