molly maguire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “molly maguire” mean?
A member of a 19th-century secret society of Irish-American coal miners in Pennsylvania, USA, known for labor activism and violence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a 19th-century secret society of Irish-American coal miners in Pennsylvania, USA, known for labor activism and violence.
Historically, a term for Irish agrarian rebels in the 1840s. In modern casual usage (rare), can sometimes refer metaphorically to a secret troublemaker or activist operating under a guise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term is almost exclusively historical/academic, referencing the Irish origin of the name. In American English, it has a more direct historical connection to the Pennsylvania labor wars.
Connotations
Similar historical connotations in both varieties, but American usage may evoke a more specific narrative of industrialization and immigration.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both regions, limited to historical discussion.
Grammar
How to Use “molly maguire” in a Sentence
be labelled a Molly Maguirebe accused of being a Molly MaguireVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical studies of labor movements, Irish diaspora, and American industrialization.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a proper noun in historical criminology or labor history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “molly maguire”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “molly maguire”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “molly maguire”
- Misspelling as 'Molly McGuire' or 'Molly McGwire'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a molly maguire') without historical context is incorrect.
- Confusing them with the general labor union (they were a secret society within it).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they were a real secret society of Irish-American coal miners in the 1860s and 1870s in Pennsylvania.
Almost exclusively in historical discussion. It is not part of active modern vocabulary.
The name was adopted from a secret society in Ireland that opposed landlords. 'Molly Maguire' was a fictional widow used as a symbolic figurehead.
In American English: /ˌmɑːli məˈɡwaɪər/. The stress is on 'MAG' in Maguire.
A member of a 19th-century secret society of Irish-American coal miners in Pennsylvania, USA, known for labor activism and violence.
Molly maguire is usually historical, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a case of the Molly Maguires (very rare, jocular for being rebellious)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Molly' as a common Irish name and 'Maguire' as an Irish surname. Remember them together as a secret Irish group fighting for miners' rights in Pennsylvania.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRET SOCIETY IS A SHADOWY PERSON (personification of a collective).
Practice
Quiz
In which historical context is the term 'Molly Maguire' primarily used?