mitch

Definition

To pilfer; filch; steal.

Etymology

From Middle English mychen, müchen (“to rob, steal, pilfer”), from Old English *myċċan (“to steal”), from Proto-West Germanic *mukkjan, from Proto-Germanic *mukjaną (“to waylay, ambush, hide, rob”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mūg-, *(s)mewg- (“swindler, thief”). Cognate with Scots mich, myche (“to steal”), Saterland Frisian mogeln (“to act secretively and deceitfully”), Dutch mokkelen (“to flatter”), Alemannic German mauchen (“to nibble secretively”), German mogeln (“to cheat”), German meucheln (“to assassinate”), Norwegian i mugg (“in secret, secretly”), Latin muger (“cheater”). Related to mooch.

Example Sentences

• ""Did you ever mitch school?" he asked. "No. But I think this is what it would feel like.""
• "John said he was going to mitch the last lesson today."
• "I was young once. God, the things we used to get up to in the seminary. Me and a bunch of the lads there, once we mitched off to see a Dana concert."