Toby mush

plural Toby mushes

1. UKAn assistant to a Toby on a street market.

   He has a 'Toby mush' or assistant who collects tolls for the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough (District) Council who control the general market, also called the pannier market, which I understand is a profitable business.

   1994, George Evans, Shropshire's Wonderful Markets, →ISBN, page 85

   1 more example

   According to market mythology, the Toby Mush who went from stall to stall in policeman's boots, with a clinking leather rent-collector's bag on his shoulder, deciding who got to stand where at Stockport, was afflicted with a blind eye and a bent right arm, so many backhanders did he take possession of on market days.

   2010, Howard Jacobson, The Mighty Walzer, →ISBN, page 82