whiting-mop

Noun

whiting-mop (plural whiting-mops)

1. (UK, obsolete) A young whiting.
   • ...his silence must be, that though he beare and understand himselfe wronged, yet he must be as dumbe as a Gudgeon or a Whiting mop: and though his mouth be shut...1869 [1620], John Taylor, Works of John Taylor the Water-Poet, The Spenser Society, "Taylors Travels to Prague in Bohemia", page 99
   • Chartley. Fear not, girl. Though I revel abroad o' days, I'll be with thee to bring o' nights, my little whiting mop.1996 [1638], Thomas Heywood, edited by Paul Merchant, Three Marriage Plays, Manchester University Press, The Wise Woman of Hogsdon, act I, scene II, page 48
2. (UK, obsolete) A pretty girl; a young or innocent woman.
   • Mistress Birdlime. I see bashful lovers, and young bullocks, are knocked down at a blow. Come, come, drink this draught of cinnamon-water, and pluck up your spirits; up with 'em, up with 'em. Do you hear? the whiting mop has nibbled.1830 [1604], Thomas Dekker, John Webster, The Works of John Webster, volume III, London: William Pickering, Westward Ho, act II, scene II, page 37
   • Camillo. If 'twere a fish-day, though you like it not, I could say I have a stomach, and would content myself With this pretty whiting-mop.1813 [1633], Philip Massinger, edited by W. Gifford, The Plays, 2nd edition, volume IV, London: G. & W. Nicol et al., The Guardian, act IV, scene II, page 207