Chapter Moussali to Mugwump of M by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

that pawnbrokers have adopted the three balls as a symbol of their trade. (See under Balls for another account.)

Muggins A small borough magnate, a village leader. To mug is to drink, and Mr. Muggins is Mr. Drinker.

Muggletonian A follower of one Lodovic Muggleton, a journeyman tailor, who, about 1651, set up for a prophet. He was sentenced to stand in the pillory, and was fined £500.

Mugwump (A). A word borrowed from the Algonquin, meaning one who acts and thinks independently. In Eliot's Indian Bible the word “centurion” in the Acts is rendered mugwump. Those who refuse to follow the dictum of a caucus are called in the United States mugwumps. The chief of the Indians of Esopus is entitled the Mugwump. Turncoats are mugwumps, and all political Pharisees whose party vote cannot be relied on.

“ `I suppose I am a political mugwump,' said the Englishman. `Not yet,' replied Mr. Reed. `You will be when you have returned to your allegiance.' ”- The Liverpool Echo, July 19th, 1886.