E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mike.
To loiter. A corruption of miche (to skulk); whence, micher (a thief), and michery (theft). (Old Norse, mak, leisure; Swedish, maka; Saxon, ’mugan, to creep.) (See MICHON.)
1
“Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher [loiterer]?”—Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., ii. 4.
