london.localmean.com/mug
mug
MUG · /mʌɡ/
Local meaning
A foolish, gullible, or easily deceived person; also an informal word for a face.
The British informal noun “mug” can describe someone who has been naïve, exploited, or made to look foolish. A separate informal sense means a person’s face. These meanings are different from a drinking mug and from the verb meaning to attack and rob someone.
Examples in context
- I felt like a mug for paying twice.
- Don’t treat me like a mug.
- Get your mug out of the photo.
How it is used
The foolish-person sense is usually disapproving. The face sense can be comic or insulting depending on the adjective and tone.
Self-critical, insulting, teasing, or comic.
Arguments, stories about being deceived, banter, and comments about photographs.
Informal conversation where the relationship and tone are clear.
Calling someone a mug directly can be confrontational, and the robbery meaning is entirely separate.
Spelling and scope
Longstanding British informal English heard routinely in London; not uniquely London and not specifically an MLE term.
Common search forms stay discoverable without claiming that every London community uses one spelling.
Common patterns
- feel like a mug
- take me for a mug
- look like a mug
- your mug
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
Sources support the definition, history, or usage layer. Local review remains welcome.
- mug — definition and meaningCollins English Dictionary
Documents British informal senses for a foolish or easily deceived person and an informal word for a face.