The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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6. Leg of mutton Masons
Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology
In another historical source, there is an expression almost synonymous with
"Knife & Fork Masons," which was employed in a special case for two brethren:
[...] a complaint was made against Thomas Phealon and John Macky,
better known by the name of the "leg of mutton Masons," who had
pretended to confer the degree without knowing anything about it. The
record says: "In the course of the examination, it appeared that Phealon
and Macky had initiated many persons for the mean consideration of a
leg of mutton for dinner or supper, to the disgrace of the Ancient Craft.
[...]" 923
7. McMasons
A relatively new mock expression designating a Mason who has to proove
his proficiency in a one-day class in order to attain a higher office is
"McMason." It alludes to the fast-food chain McDonald's, and Henderson and
Pope use it:
Some Grand Lodges have experimented with a different style of
proficiency test, requiring candidates for promotion to be able to answer
a series of questions in their own words, thus demonstrating an
understanding of the subject matter. Even more recently, some Grand
Lodges are experimenting with 'One-day Classes', which do not require
the old proficiency tests between degrees, and whose critics describe the
results as 'McMasons', referring to the fast-food chain. To be fair, the
experiment has not been conducted for a sufficient time to draw reliable
conclusions. 924
8. Petticoat Mason
In Pollard's book on Masonic humor, Tied To Masonic Apron Strings, we
come across the mock expression "petticoat Mason" denoting a male Member of
the Order of the Eastern Star, which is androgynous and seems to be more
appropriate for women regarding its ceremonial contents (cf. our ritualistic
chapter 8.2.2). This becomes obvious when we consider the floral metaphors, as
923
"Capitular Masonry; or, the Royal Arch Chapter, by Henry R. Evans," in Little Masonic Library I.,
p. 13.
924
Henderson and Pope, vol. I, p. 76.