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M

mattock

mat‧tock /ˈmætək/ noun [countable]  a tool used for digging, with a long handle and a metal blade

Old English mættoc, probably from Vulgar Latin *matteuca "club," related to Latin mateola, a kind of mallet (see mace (n.1)), but this is not certain, and synonymous Russian motyka, Lithuanian matikkas suggest other possibilities. OED says similar words in Welsh and Gaelic are from English.

- He was half laughing—from shock—when she suddenly seized a mattock from the
shed wall and made for him. Seriously alarmed, he ducked and grabbed her
wrist, twisting so she dropped the heavy tool with a thump. (Gabaldon - Echo)

- “The rest of that bit got bulldozed last week, but they left a patch round
the stone, because we didn’t want to risk the bulldozer hitting it. So
after the tea break Mark told me and Mel to go up there and mattock it back
while the others did the drainage ditch.” (French - In the Woods)


Millennials

From 1992 used as a generational name for those born in the mid-1980s and thus coming of age around the year 2000.

Muppet

Trademark (U.S.) Sept. 26, 1972, claiming use from 1971, but in print from Sept. 1970. Name coined by creator Jim Henson (1936-1990), who said, despite the resemblance to marionette and puppet (they have qualities of both), it has no etymology; he just liked the sound. (Ety)

- “Crazy old muppet,” she spits out and heads off towards the parking area. (Backman - Ove)


mustelid

"a mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae), distinguished by having a long body, short legs, and musky scent glands under the tail."

Etymology:

1910, from Modern Latin Mustelidae, taken as a genus name by Linnaeus (1758), from Latin mustela "weasel," possibly related to mus "mouse" (see mouse (n.)). Tucker tentatively suggests *mus-ters-la "mouse harrier" and Klein notes that the weasel was identified in antiquity as "the catcher of mice."

Example:

We could be looking at a rat, or a fox, except both of those would’ve probably
eaten the guts and stuff, not just the head. If it was an animal, I’m gonna
say probably a mustelid. Like stoats and mink, right? One of that family.
They’re into surplus killing.”
I said, “That was Detective Curran’s guess, too. Would a mustelid fit with
whatever was going on in the attic?” (French - Broken Harbour)