or merry-arsed, adj. (venery).—Wanton. Hence, MERRY-ARSED CHRISTIAN = a whore (GROSE, 1823); MERRY-BEGOT (q.v.); MERRY-BIT = a willing wench; MERRY-MAKER = the penis; MERRY-LEGS = a LIGHT-SKIRTS (q.v.) or QUICUNQUE-VULT (q.v.).
1610. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER, The Maids Tragedy, iii. 1. Diph. What odds, he has not my sister’s maidenhead to-night?… She’s MERRY enough of herself; she needs no tickling.
c. 1800. BURNS, The Merry Muses of Caledonia [in title, and passim].
1887. W. E. HENLEY, A Book of Verses, ‘Ballade of a Toyokuni Colour-Print,’ When MERRY maids in Miyako.
