E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mitten.
The Pardoner’s mitten. Whoever put this mitten on would be sure to thrive in all things.
1
“He that his hondë put in this metayn,
He shal have multiplying of his grayn,
Whan he hath sowen, be it whete or otes,
So that ye offre pans [pence] or ellës grootes.”
Chaucer: Prologue to The Pardoneres Tale.
To give one the mitten. To reject a sweetheart; to jilt. (Latin, mitto, to send [about your business], whence dismissal; to get your dismissal.) Some say, it is to get the mitten instead of the hand.
2
“There is a young lady I have set my heart on, though whether she is going to give me’hern, or give me the mitten, I ain’t quite satisfied.”—Sam Slick: Human Nature, p. 90.
“I don’t believe but what that Hammond girl’s given him the mitten, else he wouldn’t a come. I wouldn’t play second fiddle for any fellow.”—M. E. Wilkins: A Tardy Thanksgiving (American).
