Mouse on my face

[jgofri]

A friend who is trying to learn English through Duolingo surprised me today by mentioning that "mouse" has a colloquial meaning I never heard before - a black-eye

Comments

[whswhs]

I'm a southern Californian. I've known the expression for many years, but never used it or heard it used. It sounds a bit old-fashioned but it may just be regional.

[jgofri]

Thanks for your reply. Do you remember how you know it? If you never heard it used, I suppose it must be from a book, is that right?

[whswhs]

I've probably read it in more than one book. Mostly likely in earlier decades; I don't recall seeing it in anything I've read lately.

[wasureneba]

Wow! Grew up in upstate NY, living in northern California for nearly a decade, never heard this expression. Very evocative.

[jgofri]

Isn't it though!

[electricdruid]

That's the context I've seen it in, as well. I've only come across it rarely and, I believe, in older books.

[jgofri]

Thank you! Looks like we have a consensus here - an outdated expression from the 19th century or so.

[thekumquat]

UK English - never heard or read it in my life!

[sollersuk]

Also UK: have read but only in American books and oldish ones at that.

[jgofri]

Thank you! That's an interesting bit of information.

[sushidog]

UK here too, and an Irish father, and I've never encountered it.

[rwalk]

Oxford English Dictionary:

mouse, n.

6. slang. A lump or discoloured bruise, esp. one on or near the eye, caused by a blow; a black eye.

1854 ‘C. Bede’ Verdant Green ii. iv, That'll raise a tidy mouse on your ogle, my lad!

1886 Sir F. Doyle Remin. & Opin. iv. 81 He acquired a severe black eye, of that peculiar kind known to professional pugilists as a ‘mouse’.

[jgofri]

Thank you! Once again, those examples are both from a century before last. Nothing more recent, I guess. Though it proves that the word is not from American slang - or, at least, not exclusively American.