menshn.
/mɛnʃ/, U.S. /mɛn(t)ʃ/, Australian English /mɛnʃ/ colloquial (chiefly British and Australian).
= mention n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > [noun] > mention
i-mindOE
minOE
mindc1350
minninga1400
touchc1400
mention1559
reference1591
mensh1973
1973 Times 27 Apr. 4/3 One little boy asked if we could ‘have a mensh for Aunty Dora who fell down the stairs and broke her leg’.
1993 Radio Times 18 Sept. 20/3 PRs pleading for more attention, more ‘menches’ (press mentions) in the right place.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
menshv.
/mɛnʃ/, U.S. /mɛn(t)ʃ/, Australian English /mɛnʃ/ colloquial (chiefly British and Australian).
transitive and intransitive = mention v. Frequently in don't mensh: = don't mention it at mention v. Phrases 1d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > mention or speak of
to speak of ——c825
sayOE
besayc1200
talk ofc1230
to make mention ofc1300
readc1300
yminnea1325
nevenc1330
to make mindc1350
toucha1375
famea1400
minta1400
clepec1400
rehearsec1405
recitec1436
reckonc1480
mentionatec1525
mention1530
to speak upon ——1535
name1542
repeatc1550
voice1597
commemorate1599
to speak on ——1600
notice1611
quote1612
to make vent ofa1616
memorate1623
mensh1928
1928 E. Blunden Undertones of War 313 Shall you go—or I go..Oh, I'll go—don't mench!
1955 ‘G. Carr’ Corpse at Camp Two iii. 40 ‘Pray forgive my tactlessness.’.. ‘Don't mench, sir.’
1961 J. Dawson Ha-ha ii. 31 ‘I'm sorry to hear it.’ ‘Thank you, not at all, don't mensh.’
1972 G. Chapman et al. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1989) II. xxxiii. 135 Sorry to mench, but if you've finished with the lawn-edger could you pop it in the post.
1974 F. Nolan Oshawa Project iii. 24 ‘Thanks, Lucky.’ ‘Don't mensh, don't mensh,’ Luciano said.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1973v.1928