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

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


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

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,

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

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

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

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

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