mash

Older people in the Southern United States sometimes use "mash" as a verb meaning "to press". The word is usually uttered in such a strong Southern accent that a neophyte Yankee can't possibly understand it. For example, if you're in an elevator next to the buttons and a kindly old gentleman gets on, he may well say:

"Mayush fo', ee-ya wuh."

which, without the accent, is

"Mash four, if you would,"

which, when translated, means

"Would you please push the 'four' button?"

The term usually takes something like a button or a switch as a direct object; one could conceivably mash a computer key, too, although most people who use this term don't seem to be the computer-literate sort. "Mash" does not take on all the senses of "press"; one does not mash a garment, nor does one mash against someone.

There. Now if you're ever in an elevator in Dixieland, you'll know what to do.

melknia tells me that some young Canadians use "mash" in this sense. So I modify my above statement: if you're north or south of the American North, you'll hear the word used this way. Strange...

Mistress Mash

If you like bacon, spam, and drinking massive heaps of alcohol, this is the recipe for you! It tastes better each time you reheat it, much like meatloaf. Known for its special powers for curing hangovers, and its thick, pasty, salty goodness... I bring you Mistress Mash!
Note: Because it fills you up pretty fast, you may want to downsize the portions in the recipe. I like to make a lot so I can reheat it for a quick meal.

• 1/4 c. diced spam (Optional)
• 1/2 c. cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 6 strips bacon, well-done
• 6 servings Idaho Spuds

Voila! Now rest your aching arms, then serve yourself a bowl of some tasty mash.

Mash (?), n.

A mesh.

© Webster 1913.

Mash, n. [Akin to G. meisch, maisch, meische, maische, mash, wash, and prob. to AS. miscian to mix. See Mix.]

1.

A mass of mixed ingredients reduced to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure; a mass of anything in a soft pulpy state. Specifically Brewing, ground or bruised malt, or meal of rye, wheat, corn, or other grain (or a mixture of malt and meal) steeped and stirred in hot water for making the wort.

2.

A mixture of meal or bran and water fed to animals.

3.

A mess; trouble.

Beau. & Fl.

Mash tun, a large tub used in making mash and wort.

© Webster 1913.

Mash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mashing.] [Akin to G. meischen, maischen, to mash, mix, and prob. to mischen, E. mix. See 2d Mash.]

To convert into a mash; to reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure; to bruise; to crush; as, to mash apples in a mill, or potatoes with a pestle. Specifically Brewing, to convert, as malt, or malt and meal, into the mash which makes wort.

Mashing tub, a tub for making the mash in breweries and distilleries; -- called also mash tun, and mash vat.

mashed potatoes n. pl. Potatoes which have been boiled and mashed to a pulpy consistency, usu. with sparing addition of milk, salt, butter, or other flavoring. It is a popular accompaniment to a meat course [U.S., 1900's], providing bulk and calories to a meal. -->

© Webster 1913.