E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
M or N
in the Catechism. M is a contraction of NN (names); N is for name. The respondent is required to give his names if he has more than one, or his name if only one.
1
In the marriage service, M stands for mas (the man) or mari’tus (the bridegroom), and N for nupta (the bride).
2
There are some who think M stands for Mary, the patron saint of girls, and N for Nicholas, the patron saint of boys.
