Mumbling a sparrow; a cruel sport frequently practised at wakes and fairs: for a small premium, a booby having his hands tied behind him, has the wing of a cock sparrow put into his mouth: with this hold, without any other assistance than the motion of his lips, he is to get the sparrow's head into his mouth: on attempting to do it, the bird defends itself surprisingly, frequently pecking the mumbler till his lips are covered with blood, and he is obliged to desist: to prevent the bird from getting away, he is fastened by a string to a button of the booby's coat.
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
n. a nickname in New Zealandfor the Fern-bird (q.v.). 1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' ...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
A vulgar pronunciation of asparagus both in England and America. Hence the celebrated charade by a c...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.