or a bit of muslin, subs. (common).—A woman. For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, i. 1. A BIT OF MUSLIN on the sly.
1828. G. GRIFFIN, The Collegians, x. Captain, I see you laugh a great deal, but you mustn’t laugh at our girls, though, there are sume pretty BITS O’ MUSLIN there, I can tell you.
1843. W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Scamps of London, i. 1. I came up to town to see life, leaving behind me as pretty a PIECE OF MUSLIN as you’d wish to see.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, l. ‘That was a pretty BIT OF MUSLIN hanging on your arm—who was she?’
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, 128. One thing more: take my advice, and keep clear of MUSLIN for the next six or seven years. It’s brought as many of your profession to grief as spirits.
