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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
milliard, n. billion
See Appendix II.D.
mince, n. chopped meat
The common name by which a Briton orders from the butcher what an American
would call chopped meat or hamburger. Sometimes the British use the term minced
meat instead. Mincemeat generally means, in both countries, the mixture of chopped
apples, raisins, candied orange rind, suet, etc., which goes into mince pie.
mincemeat tart mince pie

Mince pie would be understood in Britain to mean a small individual one. See
also pie.
mincer, n. meat grinder
Mincing Lane see comment
Inf. An actual street in London, which has given its name to the tea business, just
as other London streets have become symbols and nicknames for other lines of
endeavor.
mind, v.t., v.i. 1. watch out for
2. care
3. mind you
1. When a train stops at a curved platform at a British railroad station, there are
attendants who say, or signs that read, Mind the gap! Where there is an unex-
pected step, you will be enjoined to Mind the step, i.e., to watch out for it. In Mind
you do! mind means ‘make sure.’
2. In America, I don’t mind means ‘I don’t object.’ In Britain it also means ‘I don’t
care,’ in the sense of indifference when an alternative is offered. Thus, if asked,
Would you rather stay or go? or Do you want chocolate or vanilla?, a Briton who
would be happy either way says, “I don’t mind.” See also have no mind to.
3. In the imperative, mind often omits the you in Britain: I don’t believe a word of
it, mind! The British do not use mind in the sense of obey. British and American
parents mind (look after) their children. American children mind (or should mind,
i.e., obey) their parents.
minded to see comment
When a Briton says that he or she is ‘minded to’ do something, he is (rather for-
mally) expressing the likelihood that he will follow that course of action. A com-
mon variant is ‘have a mind to.’
minder, n. bodyguard
A minder is a personal bodyguard; in underworld slang, a lookout. Nothing to do
with child-minder.
mineral, n. soft drink

One sees minerals on signs in British restaurants, tea rooms, etc. They are offer-
ing soft drinks. This use of the term is related to the term mineral water which one
still hears in America. See also squash.
minge, n. Inf. female pubic hair
mingy, adj. Inf. tight (stingy)
Inf. A portmanteau word: combination of mean and stingy. It applies not only to
persons but also to things, like a mingy portion of something. See also mean.
226

milliard