subs. (common).—1.  A sweetheart. Also MASHER.

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  1883.  Illustrated London News, 9 June, p. 563, col. 3. He appears to be the MASH (if it is permissible to quote the cant phrase of the day) at one and the same time of Queen Anne, the Duchess of Marlborough, and his own legitimate sweetheart.

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  1889.  The Mirror, 26 Aug., p. 6, col 2. For whom, dear Mabel, do you dye your wig-hair, And paint and powder?—Who is this new MASH?

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  2.  (common).—ON THE MASH, see MASHER.

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  1888.  Daily Telegraph, 15 Nov. An impecunious fellow who was always ON THE MASH.

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  1892.  CHEVALIER, ‘The Little Nipper’ [FARMER, Musa Pedestris (1896), 193].

        I loves to see ’im cuttin’ of a dash,
A walkin’ down our alley ON THE MASH.

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  Verb. (common).—To court; to ogle; to lay oneself out for the practical approval of the other sex.

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  1883.  Referee, 30 Sept., p. 2, col. 4. And looks so handsome that were he not so wicked he would be likely to MASH all the ladies who see him.

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  1891.  Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 9 Jan. But only fancy what a fellow with my taste for seeing life and MASHING the girls must have suffered!

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  1892.  Illustrated Bits, 22 Oct., p. 4, col. 2. Successfully MASH a girl by reciting poetry to her.

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