muggins

noun

mug·​gins

ˈməgə̇nz

plural muggins

often capitalized

1

a

: a provision in many games played in England that if a player fails to record an earned score promptly his opponent may say muggins and claim that score

—used especially in cribbage and dominoes

b

: a dominoes game identical with sniff except that the muggins provision is included

c

: any of various card games in which a score overlooked may be claimed by saying muggins or in which the player with the worst score is called muggins

—used especially in children's games

2

: simpleton

had seen too many muggins come bowing and smiling

—Enid Bagnold

Word History

Etymology

probably from the name Muggins

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