Moth, noun

Forms:
Also MOTH, M.O.T.H.
Origin:
Acronym formed on Memorable Order of Tin Hats.
a. An ex-servicemen’s organization; often in pl., with the same meaning. Also attributive. See also Mothwa, Old Bill, shellhole, Wee Bill.
Note:
The organization was founded in Durban in 1927 by Charles Evenden.
1929 [see dug-out].
1939 Star 5 Sept. 5The Benoni branch of the Moths..is holding its monthly meeting at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
1949 J.S. Franklin This Union 101The Moth organisation came into being only as recently as 1927.
1952 Natal Mercury (Centenary Souvenir) 25 Nov.In 1927 ‘The Natal Mercury’ cartoonist, Evo, published probably one of the most significant cartoons on Remembrance ever drawn. From this cartoon he conceived the idea of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats...Thus inspired, he wrote the rules of the M.O.T.H., leaving out all officialism.
1971 Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. III. 118 (caption)This cartoon led to the foundation of the M.O.T.H. (‘Moths’).
1972 J.D. Robinson in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VII. 327Memorable Order of Tin Hats, (M.O.T.H.) This Order was founded in Durban in May 1927 by Charles Alfred Evenden.
1972 J.D. Robinson in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VII. 328 (caption)M.O.T.H. insignia can be seen above the Gate.
1979 E. Prov. Herald 7 Dec. 3Ex-servicemen’s organizations such as the Moths.
1983 L. Capstickdale in S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 16The story of the MOTH organisation..is the story of one extraordinary man...That man was Charles Evenden — MOTH ‘O’, or Evo, as he was affectionately known to all.
b. A member of this order.
1979 Daily Dispatch 15 Mar. 3Moths elected Mr MacEwan..as the new Old Bill.
1979 Daily Dispatch 11 June 1A number of new Moths..recently completed Border service and joined the order.
1980 Daily Dispatch 3 Dec. 2The custom..was started by the late Moth Ebbo Bastard in Kokstad in 1946.
1983 S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 18The famous British admiral, Evans of the Broke..was himself a Moth.
1983 S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 19Moth Alf Gooden, national chairman of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats.
1989 Grocott’s Mail 20 June 2Moths have not forgotten their wartime leader and fellow Moth, Jan Christiaan Smuts.
1993 G. O’Neill in Grocott’s Mail 22 July 4These sombre thought were lightened by the knowledge that my brother M.O.T.H.S. from the Makanaskop Shellhole would..be holding a service, in lieu of the parade.
An ex-servicemen’s organization; often in pl., with the same meaning. Also attributive.
A member of this order.
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acronyms
mossie, mossies, nounn.2mother, nounn.
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