Mother-in-law

subs. (common).—A mixture of ‘old’ and ‘bitter’ ales.

  1884.  Daily Telegraph, 3 July, p. 5, col. 4. Others incline towards MOTHER-IN-LAW, otherwise ‘old-and-bitter.’

  MOTHER-IN-LAW’S BIT, subs. phr. (old).—See quot.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. MOTHER. MOTHER IN LAW’S BIT; a small piece, mothers-in-law being supposed not apt to overload the stomachs of their husband’s children.

  1811.  GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.