外博词典，懂英语单词快速记忆法的在线英语词典

英语单词mug的拼写十分简单，但它的含义却十分复杂。翻开词典可以看到它对应的含义有：杯子、脸、做鬼脸、抢劫。这些看似风马牛不相干的含义是怎么产生的呢？原来，在16世纪初，mug指的仅仅是一种带柄的酒杯，即我们常说的“马克杯”。在18世纪时，马克杯的生产厂商往往喜欢在杯子上印上一张稀奇古怪的人脸，现在还有很多人喜欢在马克杯上印上图案。因此，mug一词就与“人脸”发生了关系，在俚语中产生了“人脸”的含义。到了19世纪初，mug又产生了一种动词用法，表示对准对方脸上来一拳，流行于拳击爱好者们。再往后，mug的含义进一步扩展，还可以表示“行凶抢劫”。

mug 大杯，缸子，马克杯，丑脸，抢劫

原指一种陶土烧制的杯子或碗，罐子，词源不详。后用于俚语丑陋的脸，即杯子上反射出来的变形的脸。后用于指扇巴掌，掌掴，即把脸打变形，引申词义抢劫。

Etymology

mug (n.1)

"small, cylindrical drinking vessel, often with a handle," 1560s, "bowl, pot, jug," of unknown origin, perhaps from Scandinavian (compare Swedish mugg "earthen cup, jug," Norwegian mugge "pitcher, open can for warm drinks"), or Low German mokke, mukke "mug," also of unknown origin. Hence mug-hunter (1883) "one who enters sporting contests solely to win prizes" (frequently in the form of engraved cups), a term of contempt.

mug (n.2)

"a person's mouth or face," 1708, possibly an extended sense of mug (n.1), based on the old drinking mugs shaped like grotesque faces, popular in England from 17c. Sense of "portrait or photograph in police records" had emerged by 1873.

When the notorious "Shaver Good" and his accomplices were arrested, and the robbery of several houses and stores fastened upon them, Good said, with all apparent sincerity, "I have travelled every city in the United States for the last seventeen years, and was never collared before, and I would not have been now, but for that 'mug' of mine that sticks in your gallery. ["Annual Report of the Chief of Police for 1873," Boston, Mass.]

Hence mug-shot (by 1950). Meaning "stupid or incompetent person, dupe, fool, sucker" is by 1851 in thieves' slang; hence "a person" generally (especially "a criminal"), by 1890. Mug's game "foolish, thankless, or unprofitable activity" is by 1890.

mug (v.1)

"to beat up," 1818, originally "to strike the face" (in pugilism), from mug (n.2) "face." The general meaning "attack" is attested by 1846, and "attack to rob" by 1864. Perhaps influenced by thieves' slang mug "dupe, fool, sucker" (1851). Related: Mugged; mugging.